Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/61075
DEPARTMENT HEADER Past and present: Simi winemakers Mary Anne Graf, Susan Lueker, Zelma Long and Steve Reeder, with former winery owner Russell Green (second from left), who purchased Simi in 1970. Older Simi vintages at the event. the strength of the vines, and bottle the finished wine without screwing up," said Reeder, who joined fellow winemaker Lueker at Simi in 2003. To celebrate its historic 135 year anniversary, a few months ago the winey hosted a memo- rable retrospective tasting that provided each guests with a vivid glimpse back into the past and an exciting taste of things to come. The event featured an amazing assortment of wines, including rare library selections of Cabernet Sauvignon from 1935, 1941, 1956, 1964, 1974, 1984 and 1994, and new releases of Sauvignon Blanc, Reserve Chardonnay and Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon featured with din- ner. In each case, the wines came with person- alized stories and memorable flavor profiles. During the retrospective portion of the tast- ing, there was plenty to talk about. "Nowhere close to being on the deathbed," quipped wine expert Karen MacNeil as she tasted the digni- fied 1935 vintage. Zelma Long agreed. "This wine doesn't taste that much different than it did fifteen years ago," she said. Another gem was the Simi 1964 Cabernet Sauvignon, which featured layers of dark chocolate, dried berries, mint, clove, and plenty of structure. "I'd call this wine 'tenacious'," said Lueker, "Isabel's spirit inside a glass." The founders: Giuseppe and Pietro Simi, from the presentation made during the event. april 2012 / the tasting panel / 61