San Simeon Stormwatch 2021

San Simeon Stormwatch Red Wine is a Bordeaux-style red blend in the truest sense, combining the five noble grape varietals including Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec. The fruit was harvested from our estate vineyards in Paso Robles, including the Pretty Penny, Maddalena, and Stefano vineyards in the El Pomar AVA and Riboli Creston Vineyard in the Creston AVA. These are prized vineyards, featuring a variety of well-drained, rocky soils and a warm climate tempered by cool afternoon and evening breezes. Harvested in small lots and kept separate through fermentation and aging, the components of San Simeon Stormwatch matured for 18 months in 89% French oak barrels. We conducted trial blends over several months, settling on a foundation of 42% Cabernet Sauvignon with lesser amounts of Petit Verdot, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec. The black-violet hue of this complex wine is a tip-off to the aromas of blackberries, black currants, and dark plums that arise from the glass. The powerful mid-palate reveals similar fruit flavors joined by dark chocolate and vanilla with a touch of thyme. Earth, oak, and spice notes add to the appeal of this well-balanced red wine, which ends in a persistent finish and warm, silky tannins.