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