Estate Accolades
“All from Oakville (Tench and Vine Hill Ranch), the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve spent 22 months in new French oak. Pure cassis, darker currants, spring flowers, graphite, and lead pencil are… just some of the nuances here, and it’s medium to full-bodied, concentrated, has integrated acidity, and enough tannins to warrant at least 4-5 years in the cellar. It will keep for 30+ years.”
“The 2021 Double Blessings Michael is more powerful and mineral-laced, with darker currants, iron, chalky minerals, and leafy tobacco to go with a powerful medium to full-bodied style on the palate. It’s… structured, has ripe tannins, and is a very different style compared to the perfumed, elegant, floral Peter release.”
“2021 Simon Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, ‘Double Blessings – Peter’ 96+ pts Red and black fruits, flowers, spice, and some gravelly earth all emerge from the 2021 Double Blessings Peter, a… medium to full-bodied red based on Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s balanced, has ultra-fine tannins, incredible overall balance, and a great finish. It’s a sensational wine.”
Napa Valley
2021“The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley comes from a mix of top sites (98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc) and was brought up in 75% new oak. It’s a beautiful wine that has upfron,… juicy cassis and darker berry fruits as well as textbook smoky tobacco, lead pencil, and graphite. It’s full-bodied, has a concentrated, layered mouthfeel, integrated acidity, and a great finish.”
“A barrel selection that received a bit more time in French oak (21 months in 100% new wood), the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is derived primarily from Tench Vineyard and Vine Hill Ranch.… It comes across as more primary than the winery’s other bottlings, with cedar and vanilla shadings framing black cherries and loam on the nose. In the mouth, it’s full-bodied, concentrated and richly tannic yet supple, finishing long and velvety, with an enticing touch of licorice and a coating of soft tannins.”
“2019 Double Blessings Cabernet Sauvignon Michael, named after one of the Simons’ twin sons. This bottling leans more toward Oakville in its sourcing, giving it a softer plusher feel. Black cherries… dominate the nose, joined by hints of loamy earth, while the full-bodied palate is broad and expansive yet not overly weighty, with a freshness and lightness that provides an almost joyful element to the lingering finish. It’s all Cabernet Sauvignon, aged 18 months in 70% new French oak.”
“The 2019 Double Blessings Cabernet Sauvignon Peter is named for one of the Simons’ twin sons. A 137-case blend that leans toward Coombsville in terms of sourcing, it’s 100% Cabernet Sauvignon th… spent 18 months in 80% new French oak. Scents of charcoal or graphite appear on the nose, adding a subtle complexity to the dark, savory notes of cassis, earth and black olives. It’s full-bodied, concentrated and supple, with exciting layers of savory complexity built into the long, softly dusty finish.”
Golden Ore
2020“Barrel-fermented and matured 18 months in a mix of new and used oak (French), the 2020 Golden Ore Sauvignon Blanc is the only 2020 wine being released by Simon Famil Estate. It’s toasty and… slightly nutty on the nose, with scents of struck match joining notes of passion fruit, orange and vanilla, while the palate is medium-bodied but creamy and lush. It’s just lovely stuff, striking a fine balance between acidity and texture on the long, mouthwatering finish.”
Napa Valley
2019“A blend of fruit from Coombsville, Oakville and Saint Helena, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged 18 months in 70% new French oak. It’s medium to full-bodied, dark-…fruited—cassis and black cherries—and loamy, with a thick coating of cedary mulch, but it’s soft and velvety on the long, slightly warm finish.”
Tigress
2021“There are 150 cases of the 2021 Tigress Rosé of Grenache, sourced from a head-trained vineyard in Rutherford. Fermented cool in stainless steel and then kept on the lees for six months prior to bottling,… it’s flamingo-pink in hue, with aromas of strawberries, melon rind and lime zest. Picked on the early side, it’s medium-bodied (12.5% alcohol), taut and tart, with a crisp, vibrant finish.”