2007 D-cubed Cellars Korte Ranch St. Helena Zinfandel

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Mission Codename: St. George, Cubed

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Respond to Operative requests for a Zinfandel from D-Cubed Cellars in Calistoga, at the northern end of the Napa Valley. Evaluate Duane’s single-vineyard Korte Ranch Zinfandel. Secure an ample allocation for our Zin-loving Operatives.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Epiphany Cellars

Wine Subject: 2007 Korte Ranch Zinfandel – St. Helena, Napa Valley

Winemaker: Duane Dappen

Backgrounder: The grapes for today’s wine comes from the Korte Ranch Vineyard in Napa Valley’s St. Helena. This vineyard was planted of fabled St. George rootstock, around 1910. This head-trained, dry-farmed vineyard produces distinctive and very sought-after Zinfandels. Zinfandel is related to the Italian Primitivogrape, tracing its origin to the Croatian grape Crljenak Kastelanski. Zinfandel is one of the most versatile varietals with the ability to make wines, both rich to fruity, dark to light, and dry to sweet. Napa ValleyZinfandels, which are characterized by their bold character, deep flavors and deep aromatics, are very popular with our Operatives.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Deep ruby hues at the edges, with a darker Burgundy core. When swirled, the wine leaves behind tall, wine-stained tears that move slowly down the glass.

Smell – Vibrant Bing cherry, black cherry and spiced blackberry preserves leap from the glass. Dark strawberry, smoky blackberry jam, anise, dried meats, mocha, exotic spice, sweetwoods and black pepper soon follow.

Feel – Instantly grippy on the attack, then smooth across the mid-palate where it feels almost silky. Fine-grained tannins and a balanced acidity give the wine a complex feel. As the wine settles all around the palate, is takes on a dry, flinty feel.

Taste – Bright cherry and blackberry make a powerful initial splash. These bold flavors give way to espresso bean, dried fall leaves, spice, leather and toasty oak. Black pepper and slate deliver a bright and zesty tang at the tail end.

Finish – Very long and filled with bright flavors. Red fruit yields to black fruit, spice, leather, minerals and black pepper.

Conclusion – This 2007 D-Cubed Cellars Korte Ranch Zinfandel is a bright, juicy, delicious wine from one of the our heroes of California Zinfandel. Duane Dappen has crafted a complex and balanced wine that is a true delight to swirl, sniff, taste, discuss and analyze. As the wine stretches out, in the glass, it transforms, opening up to reveal deeper aromatics and more natural fruit flavors. Serve with a grilled steak or tangyBBQ. Drink now – but also lay some down for the next few years. This terrific 2007 has the structure to age and evolve.

Mission Report:

WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER

SUBJECT: Duane Dappen

WINE EDUCATION: Studied Enology and UC Davis

CALIFORNIA WINE JOB BRIEF: Worked in Napa Valley for 26 years. Started at Grgich Hills Cellar, was Cellarmaster at Storybook Mountain Vineyards, Assistant Winemaker at Rombauer and Frank Family Vineyards. Winemaker at Frank Family Vineyards. Currently Winemaker and President of D-cubed Cellars and Winemaker at Bravante Vineyards.

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: Keep it simple. Try to allow the fruit to be at its best with some elegance and balance.

WINEMAKER QUOTE: Who wants the last rib?

FIRST COMMERCIAL WINE RELEASE: (1994 Howell Mountain Zinfandel released February 1996.)



WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

AGENT RED: Greetings, Duane. We are thrilled to be showing your 2007 Korte Ranch Zinfandel today. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.

DUANE DAPPEN: Thanks, Agent Red. Your perseverance has paid off.

RED: Was there a specific experience in your life that inspired your love of wine?

DUANE: Growing up in the Foothills my parents would go wine tasting and then I started working with a friend’s father making home wine in his cave (the cave originally was a Gold Mine)

RED: What wine or winemaker has most influenced your winemaking style?

DUANE: There was no particular wine or winemaker, but the combination or wines from Grgich Hills Cellars and Storybook Mountain have influenced me.

RED: Who do you make wine for?

DUANE: I make wine that I enjoy drinking and that I hope my friends and customers will like.

RED: Please tell me a little bit about the wine we are featuring today.

DUANE: This is the 2007 Korte Ranch Zinfandel. Korte Ranch is an amazing vineyard just north of St. Helena planted around 1910

RED: What is your favorite pairing with today’s wine?

DUANE: I love either, a nice pasta with a sauce of fresh vegetables, a little sausage and some wine reduction, or a medium-rare steak off the grill.

RED: In your opinion, what makes the St. Helena such a special place for Zinfandel?

DUANE: St.Helena is situated just north of the middle of the Napa Valley and this gives it the warm days and cool nights to ripen Zinfandel while keeping the acids and tannins in a wonderful balance.

RED: What is occupying your time at the winery these days?

DUANE: Finishing racking the 2011 wines and getting ready to blend the 2010 wines.

RED: How would you recommend people approach your wines and wine in general?

WINEMAKER: I like to think that people enjoy my wines with good food and company, whether it is their spouse or significant other having dinner at home together or a group of friends tailgating. Wine is best with good food and company.

RED: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

DUANE: I hope everyone enjoys this wine with great food and friends.

RED: Thank you so much for your time. We learned a lot about you – and your wine. Keep up the great work, we are big fans!