I really think my expectations about a wine may have more to do with how I judge it than I would like to admit.
Wine Enthusiast has rated the 01 Simi Landslide cabernet as one of its best wines of 2004. I went looking for it and after not finding it at the local stores bought 6 bottles online for $29.99 a bottle. Then one of the local supermarkets got it in and I bought 2 more bottles at $31.99.
Well, there was zero chance I wasn't going to open one of those bottles now, even if I really think maybe it needs a couple more years of aging.
Saturday (January 8)-Dinner at home (osso buco, leftover risotto and roasted carrots). I brought the wine up out of the cellar and opened it, but the cellar must be in the mid-50s (Fahrenheit) and the wine was cold, not open and needed time. I did not decant, and think that I should have.
This is not a big California fruit bomb cabernet. Over time, the wine warmed up and was very enjoyable. It has a light color, pleasant aroma- sorry I just don't identify smells well-and what I think of as a full cabernet taste.
Would I have identified it as an outstanding wine? Sure, of course, well maybe, gee I hope so! Seriously, it was enjoyable and I'll look forward to having it again, but I am just not comfortable saying "Aha, this is a really good wine." I give it an A (see above for my bias).
I am probably an erratic grader. As are for wines, I really like. Bs are for wines I would drink again. Cs mean I would drink the wine only if there were nothing else. Ds and Fs mean, "Thanks, I am drinking water tonight."
Bill Hogsett