1992 Simi Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley Reserve

This winery has over 100 acres planted in the Russian River Valley, and another 170 acres in the Alexander Valley. With the assistance of the well-known French oenologist, Michel Rolland, Simi and its New Zealand-born winemaker, Nick Goldschmidt, are producing high quality California wines. The emphasis in Simi's non-reserve program is on capturing the varietal's vibrant fruit in as exuberant manner as possible. The Reserve offerings see more oak, and are designed to be more ambitious, fuller-bodied, richer wines. The 1992 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (4,000 cases) is an elegant, stylish wine with sweet tannin, and an attractive berry fragrance subtlely infused with toasty oak. It is not a blockbuster Cabernet, nor very intense, but it is admirably constructed in a stylish manner. Drink it over the next 10-15 years. As a postscript, I believe the 1991, 1990, 1987, and 1986 Reserves are far richer and more impressive and complete than the 1992 and 1993 Reserves. Tel. (707) 433-6981; Fax (707) 433-6253