Review of San Simeon Stormwatch 2013

We received the product for review and all opinions are our own.

There’s no doubt I am a born and raised Texas boy through and through. I am insanely proud to represent our growing wine industry as we keep pumping out better wines as the years go by. However, California wine is near and dear to me, as many of my favorite wines from around the globe come from the west coast of the USA. Napa has my heart, but I have to say I have been thoroughly impressed with the many quality wines coming out of Paso Robles. This wine region is not new by any means, but the growth and quality of the wines from this region are on par with the best in the books.

The wine up for review is a Meritage blend called Stormwatch from San Antonio Winery under their San Simeon wine label. The winery was founded in 1917 and despite prohibition and World War ll, the winery still thrives today. Located in Los Angeles, CA, they source fruit from their vineyards in Paso Robles, Monterey, and Napa Valley. This bottle of wine is absolutely stunning aesthetically. Call me a sucker, but I adore wines that are bottled in heavy glass with really deep punts. This particular bottle feels as though it weighs three pounds empty! The label is enticing and encompasses the Stormwatch mentality with its darkness, and mystique.

Once opened the wine pours into the glass a deep, deep garnet with a magenta rim. The nose is brilliantly complex and powerful right out of the gate, offering notes of blackberry, cassis, white peppercorns, leather, and just a nuance of bell pepper. The palate confirms the nose, with the addition of ripe black cherries. The mouthfeel is dense and chewy, with well integrated tannins and great balance.

Specifications:

• San Simeon Stormwatch, 2013 vintage
• Winemaker: Anthony Riboli, Arnaud Debons
• Appellation: California, Paso Robles AVA, El Pomar district
• Terroir: Coastal, with steep hillsides, and rocky soils
• Grape Varieties: 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 16% Malbec, 11% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc
• Barrels: 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels
• Clarity/brightness: Clear/bright with no detectable flaws, and no evidence of gas or sediment
• Tannins: Medium plus
• Acidity: Medium plus
• Alcohol: Medium
• Finish: Long
• Alcohol by volume: 14.5%
• pH: 3.71
• Price: $70.00 per bottle at the time of review

This bottle of wine is very impressive. For the price, it is not your everyday bargain wine, but it’s definitely the “occasional treat” sort of bottle. The quality of the fruit, and balance/density of the wine are phenomenal. It is drinking pretty darn well in its youth, but this wine has many years left in the bottle to evolve and become even more complex and integrated. We paired this wine with an American classic, none other than New York Strip steaks with a baked potato. You can imagine how tasty the food pairing was! The fat in the steak cuts right through the youthful tannins to create an elegant and subdued mouthfeel. I highly recommend this wine to anyone who is seeking a full bodied, complex bottle of wine to enjoy with a fatty meal. It should age well for many years to come.

Sip, savor, and enjoy my fellow aficionados.