Simi Winery
2009 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - 13.5% ABV
by Derek Brewlander | September 20th, 2012
Alright, I am switching it up and doing another wine review this week, and it was certainly a good one. The 2009 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is an outstanding red wine brewed by Simi Winery out in California. One of the aspects of this wine that makes it very unique is that while it is not a blend of different types of grapes, it is a blend of grapes taken from different vineyards. It is an awesome mix of the warmer vineyards in the northern part of the large winery which produces deep fruit flavors and firm tannins (I finally learned what a tannin is - it is an organic compound found in grape seeds and skins as well as teas with a sort of woody flavor to it, and the stronger that woody flavor or the tea flavor with teas, the firmer/stronger the tannins - hope that makes sense!) Anyway, these northern vineyard grapes are blended with others from a cool southern vineyards with a softer more relaxed flavor. Anyways, it has a great deep red scarlet color with bright outlines. Just like its aroma, it has a great smooth toasted oak flavor, with some notes of rich dark fruit such as blackberry and plum, but you also get the great spices as well with hints of cinnamon; with a nice dry finish. It is easy to tell how much pride they take in their specific type of oak aging because it really adds some great spice to the wine that sets it apart from a typical cab. This wine would go great with a medium rare steak, seared tuna, or deep dark chocolate. At $23.00 per bottle, this is a little classier than what I am used to, but for any special occasion, dinner party or just to sip and enjoy the complex flavors - this wine truly is unique and worth a buy. Cheers!