2001 Alexander Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

---

WINEMAKER'S NOTES
Sonoma County's Alexander Valley possesses the greatest diversity of soil types of any winegrowing region in California. It has a long history of dramatic geological activity which created numerous soil types and microclimates. This diversity allows us to produce wines with a great range of flavor, texture and character.

Simi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is created by keeping all of our diverse vineyard blocks separate throughout the winemaking process. This allows the winemaker to select the best vineyard lots for the final blend. The blend is created over a two year period by selecting the best barrels from the most intense lots. The complexity of this wine is created not only from our vineyard sites, but also from blending with other classic Bordeaux varietals. In the 2001 vintage, we blended small amounts of Cabernet Franc to add layers of fruit in the nose and structure in the mouth.

This unique combination of vineyard sites and varietals results in a wine that is both powerful and elegant, with Alexander Valley's signature luscious, velvety tannins.

THE WINE
Appearance:  Dark purple with crimson red edges
Aroma:  Alluring notes of cassis, leather and sage, backed with toasty vanilla that runs through the stylish berry and black fruit character, creating layers of complex aromas.
Flavor: The entry is ripe with a burst of blackberry and cassis fruit that leads into a firm bodied and fully structured wine.

VINEYARDS
Appellation:  Alexander Valley

WINEMAKING DETAILS
Varietal composition:  94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc
Time in oak:  16 Months
Type of oak:  French and American oak, 100% new
Total acidity:  6.5 g/l
pH:  3.61
Alcohol:  14.1%
Release Date:  December 2004
Cases Produced:  3,930

Try our Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon with roasted beef tenderloin, roasted venison, blue cheese, a tart made with tomatoes, onions, and fennel, or these featured recipes:

Ricotta Gnocchi with Duck Bolognese

Filet Mignon Gratinée with French-Onion Cabernet Sauce, Sinful Mashed Potatoes and Grilled Vegetable Strudel