The Winemakers Role

The Simi Cabernets are some of Lisa’s favorite Cabs. She still likes the label but the wines have changed in recent vintages. Not in any big obvious ways but in more subtle ways like texture and finish. We learned the reason for the changes had less to do with the difference in vintages and more to do with a new wine maker. We have been drinking the Simi Alexander Valley and reserves for years and enjoyed the consistency in each vintage. We noticed with the 03 Cab a subtle but noteworthy change in the flavor and complexity in the wine. The 01 vintage was the last for longtime Simi winemaker Nick Goldschmidt. We still enjoy the Simi wines very much but the style is all-together different. Not better or worse, just different. The style of current winemaker Steve Reeder is more based in what comes out of the the vineyard than what happens in the cellar. Again, not bad just different. In a way it’s nice to know that in a winery owned by a large multi-brand corporation, one persons style can still make such difference.