Winemaker Notes
San Simeon Cabernet Sauvignon offers unmistakable notes of our unique selection of French oak barrels with aromas of rich black fruits mingled with violets cocoa, caramel, and toast. The palate expresses ripe pomegranate and boysenberry progressing into notes of oak spice, molasses, and dried lavender. Enjoy a long finish featuring full body, distinct minerality, and refined tannins.
Professional Ratings
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Tasting Panel
Ripe aromas of black plum, mocha, and espresso define the nose of this opulent and broad-shouldered wine with notes of blackberry and sandalwood. Balsamic adds an Old World charm, as does fine acidity. Noble and well structured.
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Wine Enthusiast
Intense and dark aromas of black plum and berry are tucked behind the cocoa, leather and baking-spice aromas on the nose of this reserve bottling sourced from three vineyards and including 20% Petit Verdot. The palate is seriously structured and grippy in texture, as mint chocolate chip ice cream and boysenberry flavors make for a flavorful, yet restrained sip.
As Paso Robles, California has soared in number of wineries and gained in popularity, Cabernet Sauvignon has firmly taken root as the region’s number one varietal. Alone, it accounts for just over 40% of plantings and is grown throughout both the western and eastern sides of the appellation. Though viticulture here dates back to the 18th century, Cabernet Sauvignon didn’t emerge as a significant grape here until the 1970’s. But since then it has definitely made up for lost time.
Legendary winemaker and consultant Andre Tchelistcheff first recognized Paso’s potential with Cabernet Sauvignon in the early 1960’s. The calcareous soil and dramatic diurnal temperature changes of Paso’s westside particularly intrigued him. Today modern winemaking techniques and focused experimentation with various clones, rootstocks and vineyard strategies optimize the region's ideal combination of soil and climate to deliver the best fruit possible.
The results are evident in the glass. Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon can be mesmerizing, with rich aromas and flavors of blackberry, cassis, black cherry, graphite, toasty oak, vanilla and spice. The structure, balance and unbridled opulence of these wines impress from first sip to last. Not surprisingly, Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignons have steadily grown in reputation, not just in the U.S., but around the world.