2009 Gioia Wines DAX Ryder Red

Mission Codename: Diogenes Alejandro Xenos

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Revisit Teri Love, owner and winemistress extraordinaire at Gioia Winery, procure her unique Paso Red Blend, the delicious 2009 DAX, a perfect blend of Sangiovese an Petit Sirah

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Gioia Winery

Wine Subject: 2009 DAX Ryder Red – Paso Robles

Winemaker: Teri Love

Regional Backgrounder:

Paso Robles, in California’s Southern Central Coast region (San Luis Obisbo County) is one of California’s oldest and fastest-evolving wine growing regions. The first vines were planted in the late 1700s by the Spanish missionaries. Paso’s unique climate, perhaps influences its vine more than any other area in California. The hot, dry weather that is only minimally effected by coastal fog and wine results in grapes that are more concentrated in flavor and intensity. This climate makes Paso uniquely suited to grow the big red varietals. Today’s delicious wine is a perfect blend of 86% Sangiovese and 14% Petit Sirah, making it an intriguing, delightful wine that earns our strong recommendation.

Varietal Backgrounder:

The most widely planted grape in all of Italy, Sangiovese, is used in everything from blended inexpensive table wines like Chianti, to the finest Super Tuscans. Italian immigrants introduced this varietal to the U.S. in the 1800’s. First plantings of this grape in the Atlas Peak region of the Napa Valley were legendary and today, some of the most exciting California Sangiovese are found there.

In California, Petite Sirah dates back to a time when it was believed to be a close relative of the Syrah grape. Later, it would be found to be genetically identical to the Durif, named for its after French discoverer, François Durif, who found that the varietal was a Syrah grape pollinated with Peloursin flowers. Petit Sirah’s smaller berries have a higher skin to pulp ratio, which leads to more intense flavors.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Deepest ruby with perfectly consistent coloration, from core to the very edge of the glass. After swirling, tall, skinny, wine-stained tears move quickly down the glass.

Smell – Bold, fresh cherry, warm wild strawberry, wild blueberry and soft leather all rush up to greet the nose. Just behind these, black pepper, brown spice, dried red rose petals, soft smoked meats and faint cigar box follow on.

Feel – Ultra soft, on entry. Then, the wine takes on a sexy, plush feel as a slowly spreading dryness spreads from the edges of the palate, inward. Then, uniquely, the dryness spreads back outward, eventually drying the lips and cheeks.

Taste – Ripe, complex and delicious, with bold black cherry, blackberry, tart dried cranberry and soft brown spice out in front. As the wine opens up, it also reveals dried leather, smoked meats, cedar, dried rose petals and black pepper.

Finish – Very long and packed with red and black fruit flavors that gradually give way to dried flowers, cedar and spice. At the very end, an intriguing warmth can be felt along the gumline.

Conclusion – A very impressive wine from one of our very favorite small producers, today’s 2009 Gioia DAX - Red Ryder red blend earns our heartiest recommendation! Aromatics are bold and rich, which lead one member of our tasting panel to declare, “Sniffing this wine is like eating a rich meal!” Flavors are perfectly balanced between rich & savory, and sweetly fruit-driven. The finish is long and intriguing, taking the drinker’s palate through something of a journey along the way. Kudos to Teri Love for crafting another remarkable, delicious, intriguing red blend. Don’t miss out on this one, dear Operative!

Mission Report:

WINERY INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER

SUBJECT: Teri Love, Proprietress

WINE EDUCATION: Real-life experience – tasting wines all over the world; Apprenticing under Jim Porter of KLJ Cellars.

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: The fruit speaks for itself.

WINEMAKER QUOTE: “In wine there is truth”, Latin proverb

FIRST COMMERCIAL WINE RELEASE: September 2009


WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

AGENT RED: Greetings, Teri. We are thrilled to be showing your 2009 DAX today. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.

TERI: Always a pleasure to show off our wines to your savvy Operatives, Agent Red!

RED: Tell me, was there a specific experience in your life that inspired your love of wine?

TERI: Wine makes the most wonderful occasion even better.

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

TERI: Jim Porter – his palate and talent are enviable.

RED: Who do you make wine for?

TERI: Myself – if I am loving the taste chances are good that others will as well

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

TERI: DAX’s nose is of faded roses, a touch of cedar & rich berries. The color is a bright garnet. Fresh fruity flavors of strawberry, raspberry, black pepper, nutmeg, clove & boysenberry jam – All contributing to the soft round mouth feel with a lingering flavor of vanilla. We have blended the Sangiovese with Petit Sirah. It has added more complexity and quality to the flavor of the wine. The small berries of the Petit Sirah with their high skin-to-juice ratio, blackberry fruity character mixed with black pepper notes, add deep color and body to the Sangiovese.

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

TERI: It is impossible to pick just one favorite pairing because DAX pairs beautifully with all types of dishes and personal tastes. Roasted meats, chicken, mesquite grilled steak, fish, lamb, pork, stews, tomato based pasta, pizza, well-aged cheese, veggies grilled or roasted with extra virgin olive oil, herbs, & garlic. Herb seasonings such as basil, thyme & sage play off the herbal notes in DAX in a delicious dance on the palate.

RED: In your opinion, what makes Paso Robles region so special?

TERI: The Sangiovese grape thrives in the Central Coast Region of California. A dryer climate along with the acidity naturally occurring in the grape, less watering = more concentration & intensity in the finished wine.

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

TERI: We are getting ready for our next wine to be bottled while sourcing other interesting varieties to merge together in new and exciting blends as well as continuing on our tradition of producing premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

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

TERI: With an open mind and an empty glass

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

TERI: Enjoy and share the Gioia!

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!