After the 20-dollar Napa Valley Cab last night, this one was just sittin there begging to be compared. Here is a striking example of the difference between Napa and Sonoma along the same price-points. Here is the difference between a label (BV) which basically sells itself and a top-notch bargain Cab-producer with 1/10th the production. Here is the difference between a Cab directly marketed to entry-level drinkers and a Cab produced at a much higher–and classic–standard. The beautiful part is I still have almost a half-bottle of the 2010 BV Napa left. So at one day old I feel a fair comparison to a freshly opened 2006.
Body color is nearly identical, but out at the edges the difference is striking. The Simi is deep sparkling ruby with amber edges. The nose explodes pipe-tobacco and sultry fig and berry and fresh enamel paint. Gamy underthings. Nothing closed-in or shy here. Ripe and round, and where you could SMELL the acid and meagerness of the BV, here you only smell rich fruit and mineral depth.
Instantly mouth-filling, with just enough fruit to balance out the acid. A tad short-lived mid-palate–fruit thins considerably over the middle and tannins showing a daring lack of polish take over. The age is only visible and apparent in the entry. A nearly perfectly-balanced wine and one I am happy to know I have several more of. Here is a cheap cab I will gladly work with over the next ten years. It can do it. A FULL 1% less AL than the BV is also a telling clue to its longevity. Those of you in the front row will notice I opened one of these not too long ago–a liquor-store purchase which looked un-air-conditioned and hammered. Stress was obvious on the label. So be careful of your provenance. This one is a stellar example.
2006 SIMI Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley Sonoma County 13.5
Stephen McConnell 