2009 Robleon Wines Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

Mission Codename: Maturity

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Infiltrate the award-winning Santa Barbara County Robléon Winery_, a winery that prides itself on crafting sustainably-farmed Pinot Noir – from mature vines. Procure their prized La Encantada Vineyard Pinot Noir for our deserving Operatives.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Robléon Winery

Wine Subject: 2009 La Encantada Vineyard Pinot Noir – Sta. Rita Hills

Winemaker: Adam Smith

Backgrounder: The Wine Spies arre always impressed by Pinot Noir from the Sta. Rita Hills, a Santa Barbara County growing region that has been producing some of the finest Pinot Noir south of Sonoma and Napa counties. Today’s award-winning wine hails from a producer that allows very few wine merchants access to their prized wines.

California’s Central Coast region, and specifically Santa Barbara have become one of the state’s premier regions for Pinot Noir. The generally warmer climate, moderated by the coastal fog, its sandy and clay loam soil, and broad exposure results in Pinot of exceptional purity.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Gorgeous, iridescent burgundy hues with a slightly opaque heart of dark maroon. Color lightens as you look toward the ruby edges of the wine. After swirling, tall, chubby wine-stained legs form high up on the glass wall – before moving slowly downward.

Smell – Lush and bold, with a dark rush of blackberry, black cherry and candied wild strawberry leading the way. These are followed by dried red flower petals, earthy bramble and sweet dried leaves. After the wine breathes for a few minutes it opens up, revealing aromas of dried cranberry, dried cherry and subtle wild fennel.

Feel – Velvet smooth on entry, the wine has a sweetly elegant feel. As it crosses the mid-palate, it becomes plush and more complex. As the wine settles onto the palate, it reveals fine-grained tannins and a perfectly balanced brightness.

Taste – Perfectly balanced, with delicious fruit and rustic earthen character playing together in perfect proportion. Candied black cherry, dark raspberry and wild strawberry meld with bramble, dried mixed flower petals, dried earth, softest spice and fennel.

Finish – Ultra long, elegant and packed with flavor. Mixed fruits slowly yield to earthen elements. At the very end, a soft dryness persists, along with a soft flinty minerality.

Conclusion – Truly a fantastic wine, today’s 2009 La Encantada Vineyard Pinot Noir – Sta. Rita Hills, from our new friends at Robléon, really took us by surprise. Maybe it is the mature Pinot Noir vines. Maybe it is the skill of winemaker, Adam Smith. Maybe there is somemagic at play, here, but we are absolutely crazy about this delicious Pinot Noir. This juicy wine shows fantastic fruit – balanced against an elegant earthiness. Bright, food-friendly, complex and wonderful, we give this wine our heartiest recommendation.

Mission Report:

WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER

SUBJECT: Adam Smith

WINE EDUCATION: Northwest Viticulture Center, Willamette valley Oregon

CALIFORNIA WINE JOB BRIEF: Winemaking/vineyard consultant, specialist in Pinot noir, Syrah and white Rhone and Chardonnay.

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: Patience, attentiveness, and a strong understanding of the true potential of each cluster.



WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

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

ADAM SMITH: Of course.

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

ADAM: camping in the sta. Rita hills when I was a young punk poetry student. I fell hard and scraped my heart against some wild, ink-stained Santa Barbara Syrah. I’ve held myself in that first moment ever since…

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

ADAM: that’s hard to say. I don’t believe you can teach style. A winemaker’s personality has tremendous influence. I have had many friends help me develop and understand the winemaking craft… Through those experiences I’ve found my own style.

RED: Who do you make wine for?

ADAM: Everyone.

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

WINEMAKER: La Encantada is one of the most perfect Pinot noir vineyards in California. This wine is the result of a happy marriage between Dijon clones 115, 667 and 777. Equal parts muscle, mystique and grace.

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

WINEMAKER: BBQ’d salmon. Hands down.

RED: In your opinion, what makes the Sta. Rita Hills such a special place for Pinot Noir?

WINEMAKER: the Sta. Rita hills is so exposed to various elements: winds from the pacific (which is just a stone’s throw away), unpredictable weather patterns during bloom, loads of sun throughout the days, chilly nights… It wouldn’t be Pinot country if it wasn’t challenging and complex in every way!

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

ADAM: Keeping vigil with the barrels still slow-poking through secondary.

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

ADAM: In smiling company with jams running wild on the stereo.

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!

2010 Mario Bazán Cellars Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc

Mission Codename: Beacon

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Return to Mario Bazán Cellars, secure an ample allocation of their stellar, value-priced Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Mario Bazán Cellars

Wine Subject: 2010 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker: Victoria Coleman

Backgrounder:

For today’s wine, we sent Agent Red back to Mario Bazán Cellars, a Wine Spies instant favorite when we first featured them in 2011. Mario Bazán is been best-known for producing some of the fine Napa ValleyCabernet Sauvignon but today marks the our introduction of their brilliant Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc.

Sauvignon Blanc originally hails from the Loire Valley in France, but has found new homes in other parts of France (Bordeaux, where it is blended with Sauternes); New Zealand, and specifically the Marlborough region as well as California. It is generally dry and crisp with flavors of apples, pears and tropical fruit and tends to have bright acidity that lends itself well to pairing with spicy foods.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Pale straw yellow hues from core to glinting edge. After swirling, the wine forms slow moving tears that begin very low on the glass wall.

Smell – A little shy when the wine is too cold, allow it to warm just a little and be rewarded with zesty citrus, fresh cut pineapple, slate minerals, pear and fresh herbs.

Feel – Round and very soft on entry. Then, almost immediately, the wine becomes gently grippy. Thisgrippy sensation begins at the mid-palate and then spreads its way outward, to where it eventually dries the lips and cheeks.

Taste – Bright and fresh, with lively, bold flavors that almost perfectly mirror the nose. Add to those (citrus, pineapple and pear), the flavors of lime, subtle sweetwood and the faintest hint of white pepper.

Finish – Flavors are long-lasting, with lingering lemon and pear that slowly yields to slate, lime and sweetwood. At the tail end, the gums feel a slightly warm white pepper sensation.

Conclusion – This is a delicious, value-minded treat that drinks well above its price class! With wonderful, fresh flavors, in a wrapper that is both complex and compelling, today’s 2010 Mario Bazan Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley is a wine that is well-worthy of your attention. Calling this wine food friendly would be to sell it well short of its true potential. This wine can be served with most meals, shining especially when paired with finer fare. But, don’t pigeonhole this wine as solely a food wine. This delicious Sauv Blanc is a delightful solo sipper, as well, delivering a refreshing, elegant experience. At today’s price, we’d recommend that you purchase enough to have some on hand – throughout the summer.

Mission Report:

WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER

SUBJECT: Victoria Coleman

WINE EDUCATION: Work experience, Napa Valley College, UC Davis

CALIFORNIA WINE JOB BRIEF: Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Production Asst.; Bazan Vineyard Management, Field Tech.; Bazan Cellars, Winemaker; Lobo Wines – Cabernet Sauvignon, Winemaker; Darius Anderson, Winemaker

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: Do as much as possible in the vineyard to balance the grape clusters with the number of leaves to reach near perfect ripeness with lots of character. Do as little as possible with the fruit in the cellar to allow it to give the wine a sense of time and place.

WINEMAKER QUOTE: ”Wine is the essence of time and effort spent in the vineyard paying attention to every detail as you work with grapevines and Mother Nature.”

FIRST COMMERCIAL WINE RELEASE: October 2008


WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

AGENT RED: Greetings, Victoria. We are thrilled to be showing your 2010 Mario Bazan Cellars Sauvignon Blanc today. This wine is truly fantastic. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.

VICTORIA COLEMAN: Thank you, Agent Red. I am happy to be back with you – and your Operatives.

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

VICTORIA: Since Viticulture was my main interest, it wasn’t until I tasted my first of Mario Bazan Cabernet Sauvignon, right after the primary fermentation, that I said to myself “WOW”. I fell in love with that wine. Another experience was the first time I tasted the 1994 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars S.L.V.

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

VICTORIA: Michael Silacci, winemaker for Opus One

RED: Who do you make wine for?

VICTORIA: Myself (until Mario tells me otherwise). Someone once told me you can’t please everyone. If I’m happy with what ends up in bottle, then I cannot be disappointed when others see it differently than I.

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

VICTORIA: It’s 100 percent sauvignon blanc from a single vineyard located in Napa with slightly cooler growing conditions. After five years of making cabernet sauvignon, this was my first attempt at a white wine, so this is a very special wine to me.

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

VICTORIA: Pan-seared scallops or grilled seafood!

RED: In your opinion, what makes the Napa Valley so special?

VICTORIA: Rocks, soil, water, and the many micro climates from which to consider to achieve a specific style of Sauvignon blanc.

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

VICTORIA: Bottling preparation of the red wines and a lot of barrel tasting to finalize the 2012 barrel plan.

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

VICTORIA: Expect to fall in love … No, really, keep an open mind and have fun with my wines. I’m making wine in China now, so I can honestly say that.

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

VICTORIA: Thank you for taking the time to read this interview and to taste the wine. I hope everyone enjoys this wine as much as I do!

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.

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of Silenus Vintners where you can taste the great wines of Mario Bazán Cellars can be seen in this satellite photo.

2007 Saddleback Cellars Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

Mission Codename: 2007th Heaven

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Return to Saddleback Cellars, a Wine Spies Operative favorite, to procure the latest vintage of their exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Saddleback Cellars

Wine Subject: 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Winemaker: Nils Venge

Backgrounder: The Oakville AVA, centrally located and adjacent to Napa Valley’s famous Rutherford AVA, was established in July 1993. Oakville is considered one of the most diverse AVA’s in the Napa area and grows some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon in California. This wine is produced by the famed Nils Venge who is widely considered to be one of the best Cabernet winemakers in the region and is aptly named the ‘King of Cabernet’. In 1982, Nils was the first California winemaker to win a 100 point score from Robert Parker, Jr.

2007 Vintage Report: 2007 was a remarkable vintage for California red wines. Robert Parker, Jr. gave the 2007 vintage a stunning 96 points for all Northern California red wines. This is the highest score for a vintage in over a decade. Wines from 2007 – which are in shorter and shorter supply – have been almost universally superb. When we showcase a stellar 2007, please be sure to stock up.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Dark garnet with even coloration. At the heart of the wine, it shows a inky and dark purple. After spinning the wine, wine-stained tears form high up on the glass wall. They hang there for a moment, before moving slowly downward.

Smell – The nose elicits soft, woodsy, toasty notes, accompanied by black cherry, blackberry, dark plum, red licorice, cotton candy, sweet spice, toasty oak and a hint of tobacco leaf.

Feel – Soft tannins with a warm, inviting mouth feel. The wine is smooth, soft and well-rounded on the palate.

Taste – Bold black cherry, dark plum, blackberry meld with earthy dried leaves, supple leather and dried tobacco leaf. As the wine opens up, it also reveals sweet spice, cigar box and a hint of dried Mission fig.

Finish – Smooth and softly dry with a very long- lasting finish that contains rich, red and black fruits that linger on the palate.

Conclusion – Simply divine, today’s 2007 Saddleback Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon is a very approachable, easy-drinking wine with plenty of character. It is immediately apparent that the tannins, acids and alcohol are all evenly balanced. This wine’s supple tannins are backed delicious fruit. While it pairs nicely with rich, Italian foods in red sauces, as well as steaks and meats, it also drinks well on its own. Food is not necessary to enjoy this easy-drinking Cabernet, however. It is a well-balanced wine that will not compete with food, much less overwhelm it. This ready to enjoy wine provides a lovely blend of smooth, dry tannins and well-ripened, dark-red fruits. Though it drinks quite well at present, this wine will age well and will likely improve even further with cellaring.

WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

AGENT RED: Thanks for being back with us, on another mission, Nils! Please tell me a little bit about the wine we are featuring today.

NILS VENGE: Thanks, Red. Our 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon is primarily from our Oakville estate in the Napa Valley. We have held onto this vintage for all these years to age beautifully in our cellars.

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

NILS: Grilled Rib Eye Steaks.

RED: In your opinion, what makes the Oakville AVA – and your vineyard – such a special place for Cabernet Sauvignon?

NILS: Oakville is known for its outstanding terrior that embodies certain characteristics and qualities in our wine. It is consistently a prime location for growing and maturing the grapes.

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

NILS: Barrel sampling and consulting for other wineries.

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!

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The approximate location of the Saddleback Cellarscan be seen in this satellite photo.

2007 Deerfield Ranch Winery Sonoma County Red Rex

Mission Codename: Le Roi Rouge

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Last year, Deerfiled Ranch Winery’s Red Rex became a best-seller. Send Agent Red back to Deerfield Ranch Winery to procure an ample allocation of their current-vintage Red Rex, an Super-QPR (Quality to Price Ratio) wine that delivers a high-dollar drinking experience – for a low price.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Deerfield Ranch Winery

Wine Subject: 2007 Red Rex

Winemaker: Robert Rex

Backgrounder: Located in Kenwood, California, Deerfield Ranch Winery is a Wine Spies Operative favorite. The winery, who sells out of its wines with great frequency, showed us some love by allowing us special access to their wine cave. We chose to emerge with one of our Drrefield favorites, their delicious Red Rex.

Sonoma Valley’s first vines were planted way back in 1825 by Spanish missionaries. This unique micro-climate region receives less rain and is less influenced by the fog making this warmer AVA ideal for the Cabernet, Merlot and other tantalizing varietals found in today’s exceptional red blend..

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Gorgeous dark ruby hues, with perfectly even coloration – from core to edge. Lighter and less opaque than previous vintages, the look of this wine reminds us of a darker Sangiovese. Settling quickly when swirled, the wine leaves behind tall, skinny, wine colored tears that run quickly down the glass.

Smell – Red cherry and raspberry burst from the glass. As you inhale more deeply, blackberry, spiced cherry candy, dark strawberry and cassis join in. Spin the wine for a little while and it comes even further to life, exuding sweet cedar, cigar box, sweet leather and a touch of pepper.

Feel – Tender and soft on entry, the wine then gains a little weight at the mid-palate where it settles in with a velvety feel. A slow-spreading dryness begins at the edges of the palate, spreading inward. Ultimately, the dryness spreads to the lips and cheeks. Overall, the wine shows a balanced acidity that frames the fruit just perfectly.

Taste – Juicy and bursting with dark cherry, raspberry and cassis flavors, at first. Then, smoky cranberry, spiced Bing cherry, leather and dark flower petals follow. As the wine opens, tart cranberry, cigar box and black pepper emerge.

Finish – Very long and filled with flavors, beginning with the lush fruit, and ending with cedar, pepper, dried flowers and a hint of flint.

Conclusion – If we loved the 2006, we are absolutelycrazy about this delicious 2007! Once again, Robert Rex shows off his remarkable winemaking skills. Today’s2007 Deerfiled Ranch Winery Red Red is a fantastic wine that drinks well above its regular retail price – which makes today’s offer a real no-brainer. Here at Wine Spies HQ, we are stocking up. Since you follow our reviews, you know that 2007 was a banner year for California Red wines. Combine one of the best years on record with Robert Rex’s talent for selecting and sorting fruit, his skill at blending and his mastery of the winemaking process, and you get one very special wine. Very food friendy, and a delicious solo-sipper, this approachable wine is also very flexible. We recommend that you pick up at least one case of this truly great wine!

Mission Report:

WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER

SUBJECT: Robert Rex

WINE EDUCATION: 38 years of wine making experience

CALIFORNIA WINE JOB BRIEF: Robert Rex is a “renaissance man” possessing a great palate and an exceptional talent for winemaking. He is a chemist, graphic designer and accomplished gourmet cook. He has the ability to fix almost anything. The harvest of 2010 will be Robert’s 38th consecutive year of winemaking. Robert and PJ, his wife and business partner, have lived in Kenwood, Sonoma Valley, for 28 years at their beautiful hilltop retreat, Deerfield Ranch, where the Deerfield Ranch Winery was founded. The view out their back door of Sonoma Mountain is the inspiration for the winery logo.

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: Making wine is like gourmet cooking. We start with the finest ingredients, grapes farmed by growers who put as much attention into the vines as we do into the wines. Great wine begins in the vineyard. We have worked with the same growers year after year to perfect a partnership to produce the best wine. By drawing from many vineyards, we get grapes from appellations where varietals grow the best. We allow the grapes to fully vine ripen, hand pick and sort the grapes, and use the most gentle production techniques. We produce wines using organic methods and are on of only three certified organic producing wineries in Sonoma.
We make wine by hand in small lots and taste them constantly to manage their constant change. We experiment with the latest techniques while operating from a foundation of tradition. We mold and nudge the wines in one direction or another to make them lovely, fruity and delicious to drink. Our reds receive extended barrel aging, which makes them mellow. Attention to cleanliness and balance makes them age worthy.

WINEMAKER QUOTE: Taste the passion

FIRST COMMERCIAL WINE RELEASE: 1982



WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

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

ROBERT: Thank you for having me. It’s always a pleasure to share my passion with others.

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

ROBERT: When I was 9, I had piece of angel food cake and begged my mother to teach me how to make it. I’ve been in love with cooking ever since and winemaking, especially blending, draws from the same fundamentals. I often say I am a product of my environment in that way, if I had grown up in New York I’d have a restaurant, I grew up in California so I have a winery.

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

ROBERT: My early mentor was Andre Tchelistcheff who taught me about blending and of course my wife PJ for sure. PJ is very sensitive to histamines and sulfites in wine so all our wines are clean, meaning we triple hand sort the grapes removing anything you wouldn’t feed your baby. As a result our wines have extremely low levels of histamines and sulfites, so anybody can drink them without experiencing headaches or allergic reactions.

RED: Who do you make wine for?

ROBERT: For everyone who enjoys wine. I appreciate the reviewers and bloggers who spend time creating tasting notes and reviews but the best compliment I can get about one of my wines is delicious!

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

ROBERT: The Red Rex is a complex varietal blend. Winemaking is really 30% chemistry and 70% cooking. With 28 vineyards under contract we have many different lots, different ingredients, to work with. I think of myself as a chef with this wine, building the perfect dish from many different varietals to exemplify the structure and layers of flavor.

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

ROBERT: People! The Red Rex is a crowd pleaser and works with a variety of different dishes from ham sandwiches to lamb chops.

RED: In your opinion, what makes the Sonoma County region so special?

ROBERT: Sonoma County has so many unique terroirs but there is an indescribable characteristic about the whole county and you see it reflected in the attitude of the people who live here. Even driving to the grocery store you see landscapes that take your breath away. Watching the sunset over Sonoma Mountain from the estate or walking the rows of the vineyard you can feel the bliss of Sonoma and it is reflected in our wines.

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

ROBERT: Harvest is in full swing and we’re bringing in fruit every day. Stop by the winery and you can see the activity. It really makes you respect a bottle of wine when you see the crew sorting grapes, punching down fermentators, pressing out the juice and barreling down the wine. The details of the harvest include picking decisions, yeast selection, fermentation protocols and barrel programs.

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

ROBERT: Passionately. Winemaking is more than a profession, it’s my passion. The long hours and hard work wouldn’t be worth it if I didn’t absolutely love it, and that’s what I want everyone to taste – the passion. Wine is such a delicate art and one that is meant to be enjoyed.

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

ROBERT: If you make it to Kenwood please stop by the winery and taste wines in the Grand Room of our wine cave. We always love to take the time to share Deerfield wines with guests. Sante!

RED: Thank you so much for your time. We learned a lot about you – and your wine.

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The approximate location of the Deerfield Ranch Winery can be seen in this satellite photo.

2009 Grgich Hills Estate Napa Valley Chardonnay

Mission Codename: The King of White Burgundy

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Return to Operative favorite, Grgich Hills Estate and secure the newest vintage of their famous Napa Valley Chardonnay.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Grgich Hills Estate

Wine Subject: 2009 Napa Valley Chardonnay

Winemaker: Miljenko “Mike” Grgich

BackgrounderChardonnay is arguably the greatest of all white grape varietals, showing its influence in the legendary sparkling wines of Champagne, the great whites of Burgundy and of course its expression as’the’ white wine of California. Chardonnay represents over 50% of the planted white grapes in California with nearly 100,000 acres planted. With such a great number of wines made from this grape, it stands to reason that finding wines of immense quality would be hard, but look no further. In this wine, we have found perhaps the ideal expression of the California Chardonnay.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Soft golden yellow with even coloration from core to glinting golden edge. After swirling, tall, skinny legs start high up on the glass before moving slowly downward.

Smell – Citrus, dried pear and cut pineapple are the primary notes when the wine is well-chilled. As it warms, it gains more complexity, revealing a unique yellow angel food cake with toasty vanilla and lemon zest. Swirl the wine for a while longer, and still more aromas emerge, including soft baking spice, toasty oak and a hint of fresh fennel.

Feel – Soft and light on the initial attack. Then, the wine gains some weight at the mid-palate, where a bright crispness introduces a soft, grippy dryness that spreads from the outer edges of the palate, inward.

Taste – Mixed citrus of Meyer lemon, sweet lime and lemon zest lead to dried apricot, dried pear, dried white flower petals of acacia and jasmine.

Finish – Long and bright with a sustained crispness that carries the citrus flavors to the far corners of the palate. As sweet citrus fades, white flowers and a slate minerality appears and a soft dryness spreads to the corners of the mouth.

Conclusion – We’ve had the great fortune to feature the last few successive vintages of this fantastic wine. Today’s 2009 Grgich Hills Estate Napa Valley Chardonnay is a softer, more elegant vintage than prior vintages, making it exceptionally easy to drink. Our tasting panel found itself spending a long time with this wine, discussing it and witnessing its evolution, allowing it to transform and open up as it warmed. Pair this beautiful wine with a mustard rubbed pork tenderloin with fresh baby spinach salad with mandarin slices and fresh red onion.

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the Grgich Hills Estate can be seen in this satellite photo.

2009 Epiphany Cellars Santa Barbara Syrah-Cabernet

Mission Codename: Camp Time

Operative: Agent White

Objective: Revisit our good friends at Epiphany Cellars to retrieve their delicious Syrah-Cabernet Blend

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Epiphany Cellars

Wine Subject: 2009 Santa Barbara County Camp 4 Vineyard Syrah-Cabernet

Winemaker: Blair Fox

Backgrounder:

The Camp Four Vineyard (also known as Fess Parker Ranch) is 1,400-acre parcel of land that was purchased by Fess Parker Winery in the spring of 1999. The initial 250-acre block was completed and produced its first crop in harvest 2003 – of that about 130 acres are Syrah and the rest other Rhone varietals. Located slightly Southwest from the winery in the Santa Ynez Valley, the warmer climates and loam soils of this site shows great potential for producing fully ripened, mature fruit.

The Santa Ynez Valley, in Santa Barbara county is influenced but not dominated by the proximity to the Pacific Ocean. A little elevation and well drained soil makes for an ideal environment for viticulture as demonstrated by the range of great wines from the region

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Dense and dark garnet-purple, with a darker but clear core that shows garnet and ruby streaks when tilted into the light . The color remains dense to the very edges and when swirled, random and tightly spaced thick legs hang, color stained, on the side of the glass before slowly descending to the wine below.

Smell – Bold and redolent with savory, spicy and earthy notes that frame its ripe blackberry, boysenberry, dark plum and currant fruit. These bold aromas are followed by a black licorice, smoke, cocoa and mocha coffee.

Feel – Rich, deep and full-bodied, this expansive, chewy and dry wine generously expands over the palate with its sturdy and youthfully firm grained tannins, soft but present acidity and highly textured dark minerality reaches the back of the tongue. The mouthfeel of this wine definitely smoothes as it opens but it remains very well structured and textured.

Taste – Plush and rich with the dark blackberry, dark cherry and currents, savory smoked meat and dark earthy notes notes blending with a touch of black licorice and peppery spice that lingers with the other complex flavors that are found on the nose. Rich, spicy and smokey toasted oak frame the fruit and hints of dark mocha coffee.

Finish – Ripe and dark black fruit and this wine’s savory, spice and earthy flavors lingering long into the finish as the generous and sturdy structure lasts and lasts drying the tongue and inviting another mouthwatering sip.

Conclusion – The 2009 Epiphany Cellars Santa Barbara County Syrah-Cabernet is a generous, full-bodied and chewy blend that highlights both its Syrah and Cabernet roots. It’s nose packs flavorful punch of dark fruit but has great depth of complexity when explored fully. This is a wine that you eat by itself or enjoy with a big juicy grilled steak. Enjoy this wine tonight after letting it open up or cellar for the next five to seven years.

Mission Report:

We were unable to secure an interview with winemaker Blair Fox for this wine so please enjoy our interview with him when we featured Epiphany’s 2007 Stagecoach Vineyard Napa Valley Syrah

WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER

SUBJECT: Blair Fox

DATE OF BIRTH: October 1974

PLACE OF BIRTH: Santa Barbara, CA

WINE EDUCATION: B.S. Viticulture and Enology, UCDavis

CALIFORNIA WINE JOB BRIEF: Enologist for Fess Parker Winery ‘99, Winemaker Sunstone Winery 99-02, Consultant winemaker Fess Parker Winery 02, Vintage Winemaker- Haselgrove Winery- McLaren Vale South Australia 03, Associate Winemaker in charge of the Rhone Varietal programs at Fess Parker 03-05, Head Winemaker for Fess Parker Winery 05-present

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: I spend a lot of time in the vineyard because I feel that wines are truly made in the vineyard. I try to show the different qualities of the different vineyards and create wines with distinct varietal character.

SIGNATURE VARIETAL: I have always been particularly fond of Syrah.

CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Traveling throughout the Rhone Valley in France and tasting some of the best examples of Syrah and other Rhone varietals the world has to offer.

WINEMAKER QUOTE: I feel privileged to work with some of the best vineyards and fruit in Santa Barbara County.



WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

AGENT WHITE: Greetings, Blair. It’s great to be with you, again. Our operative’s love your wines. We are thrilled to be showing your 2007 Stagecoach Vineyard Napa Valley Syrah today. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.

BLAIR: Thank you for showing my wine today!

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

BLAIR: My parents were always traveling the globe and bringing home wines to be drunk around the dinner table. I was planning on going to medical school to become a doctor but was lured into the Viticulture and Enology program at UC Davis.

WHITE: And where did you learn the most about winemaking?

BLAIR: I really enjoyed the viticulture side of the program, but then fell in love with the enology courses and being able to see the conversion of grapes to a final wine.

WHITE: What is your winemaking style or philosophy?

BLAIR: I feel the best wines are made in the vineyard. You have to be diligent with your vineyard practices to grow grapes worthy of making great wine. It is all about fruit quality, canopy management and managing your yields to produce the most exciting wines possible.

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

BLAIR: I am impressed by all great wines made around the world. I have gained experience making wines in two different hemispheres and like a sponge have absorbed as much knowledge from every winemaker I have ever worked with.

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

BLAIR: As an exploratory mission, we decided to search out some of the best vineyards in different growing regions that would be a counterpoint stylistically to the great Syrahs of Santa Barbara. Fortunately, we found a renowned vineyard to work with in Stagecoach, and the results are everything we hoped for after bringing the grapes down to our Los Olivos facility on temperature-controlled trucks.

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

BLAIR: This is an earthy, meaty, dense wine that needs something equally meaty to stand up to it. My call would be a leg of lamb roast with rosemary, garlic, and sea salt.

WHITE: In your opinion, what makes the Stagecoach Vineyard so special?

BLAIR: The Stagecoach Vineyard is perched about 1,800 feet above the Napa Valley floor and benefits from the well-drained oxidized soils, southernly exposure and slightly cooler night-time temperatures associated with mountain vineyards. I personally love Syrah vineyards planted in that red dirt… it reminds me of my time in Mc Laren Vale.

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

BLAIR: We are in the middle of racking and blending a lot of our wines right now. I taste every barrel for quality and defects to make sure only the best wines are produced.

WHITE: Who do you make wine for?

BLAIR: I make wines to be enjoyed by all. At Epiphany Cellars we specialize in the production of Rhone Varietal wines and blends. I want these wines to be balanced with intense fruit character, rich mouthfeel and beautiful aromatics.

WHITE: How would you recommend that people approach your wines, or wine in general?

BLAIR: I am very casual about my approach to wine. I feel wines are best drunk with food, but are also great as an aperitif or after dinner. I feel you should drink what you enjoy regardless of price or region. It is fun to be adventurous with wine and see what else is out there.

WHITE: If you could choose any one wine to drink (regardless of price or availability), what would it be?

BLAIR: I love Syrah and would choose something like an old Grange from Penfolds or Cote Rotie from the Northern Rhone.

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

BLAIR:Thanks!

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the Epiphany Cellars in Solvang can be seen in this satellite photo.

2010 Masseria del Fauno Nero d'Avola

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Mission Codename: The Reign of the Dark Duke

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Send Agent Red to Sicily, in search of a food-friendly Nero D’Avola. Secure a limited allocation for our faithful fans of our Internation Sunday Selections.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Masseria del Fauno

Wine Subject: 2010 Nero d’Avola

Winemaker: Sabino Russo

Backgrounder: Sometimes known as Calabrese, Nero D’Avola is an Italian grape variety that is indigenous to the region of Sicily, off the southern Italian coast. Regarded as the most important red wine grape in Sicily, Nero D’Avola is often used as a blending agent in other Italian wines. Known as “The Black Grape of AvolaInter nation”, this bright wine makes for an excellent companion to a hearty Italian meal.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Dark burgundy in color, with a darker heart of opaque dark purple. Swirl the wine, and it shows as a pretty purple color. When the wine settles, it leaves behind tall, skinny, wine-stained legs that move swiftly down the glass.

Smell – Earthy and dark, dusty earth, sweet baking spices, dark chocolate, anise, espresso bean and vanilla extract. As the wine breathes, it opens up to reveal lead by ripened plum, tomato stem, subtle blackberry, subtle blueberry compote and a hint of cassis.

Feel – Soft, cool and light-weight on entry, the a slight grip appears at the edge of the palate. This spreads an easy dryness that is backed by the bright acidity of the wine.

Taste – Bright underripe blackberry, dusty earth, dried fall leaves, minerals, leather and burnt raisin take the lead. As the wine opens up, subtle blueberry, subtle red plum, espresso bean, dark chocolate and soft baking spice appear.

Finish – Medium in length, with a bright acidity and earthy qualities that give the wine a dry and grippy overall finish.

Conclusion – Today’s Masseria del Fauno 2010 Nero d’Avola is a food that is made for Italian food! Many Italian wines are picked early, giving them a fantastic acidity – which makes them brilliant for food-pairing. A little shy at first, be sure to spend some time with this wine, spinning it in the glass. This coaxes it to life, bringing out the subtle qualities of the dark fruit. Earthy, sofly spice and mineral-rich, this bright wine would be absolutely perfect with a meaty Spaghetti Bolognese. Enjoy now, but be sure to cellar a few bottles as well. This youthful wine will only continue to improve.

Mission Report:

WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER

SUBJECT: Sabino Russo

WINE EDUCATION: Oenological School Umberto in Alba- Piemonte, followed by San Michele all’Adige-Trentino and Intl wine work in Germany and South Africa.

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: Take care of the vineyard and the wine will follow.

WINEMAKER QUOTE: ”The expressiveness of the wine is my highest goal”

FIRST COMMERCIAL WINE RELEASE: 2002, at age 27



WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

AGENT RED: Ciao, Sabino! We are thrilled to be showing your Masseria del Fauno 2010 Nero d’Avolatoday. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.

SABINO: It is my pleasure and thank you for your interest in my wine.

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

SABINO: Listening to my family and local people in the vineyards of Puglia as a child as they cheerfully cut grape clusters off the vines and chatted about life. It seemed to be such a harmonious life with nature at its center.

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

SABINO: I have known some high level winemakers but in fact it was my grandfather’s passion for wine that most influenced my winemaking and maintaining a respect for the local Italian grape varieties.

RED: Who do you make wine for?

SABINO: I prefer to make wine as a representative of Italian viticulture and to maintain a high level of quality with native varieties. The consumer who enjoys the wines and learns about the region is my focus.

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

SABINO: Nero d’Avola from Sicily is an amazing wine when grown in the right balance between sun and ocean breezes. We do not allow the grape to become overripe so the balance of it’s beautiful fruit flavors of blackberry, licorice and blueberry with healthy acidity is a rich and elegant food wine.

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

SABINO: Due to the fruit style of the wine, I prefer lighter meat dishes, pork or turkey, which are prepared with fragrant herbs such as fennel and rosemary . The long finish of the wine is very friendly to a wide variety of dishes.

RED: In your opinion, what makes the Sicily such a special place for Nero D’Avola?

WINEMAKER: In Sicily, generally the soils are rough and tough so the vines have to struggle to survive. If they make it to middle age, the character will be strong and if managed well, will have excellent character.

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

SABINO: I consult for a variety of wine producers throughout Italy including an estate near Pisa and in Chianti as well as other family owned vineyards in Puglia so I am quite busy with my family and work.

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

WINEMAKER: First and foremost with an open mind and without preconceived ideas or opinions. Drink the first bottle blind if you like and then you will truly know the wine and it’s character.

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

SABINO: I very much appreciate your interest in my wine and our region, there is much to know and experience in Southern Italy.

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!

2009 Quickfire Wines Top Chef Selection Sauvignon Blanc

Mission Codename: Bravissimo

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Respond to reports that Quickfire’s Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, a Bravo Channel Top Chef Selection wine – is a special Summertime wine at a terrific price. If the wine is up to our standards, secure an allotment for our thirsty Operatives

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Quickfire

Wine Subject: 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley

Winemaker: Terlato Family Wines

Backgrounder: Sauvignon Blanc originally hails from the Loire Valley in France, but has found new homes in other parts of France (Bordeaux, where it is blended with Sauternes), New Zealand (especially the Marlborough region) and, of course, California. Sauvignon Blanc is generally dry and crisp with flavors of apples, pears and tropical fruit and it tends to have bright acidity that lends itself well to pairing with spicy foods.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Lightest straw yellow, with platinum highlights at the edges of the wine. Spin the wine and it settles very quickly, leaving behind tall, skinny legs that meander down the glass.

Smell – Bright and fragrant with an easy complexity, this wine leads with mixed citrus, green mango, green apple and toasty vanilla. As the wine warms in the glass, aromas come to life. Creamy lemon honey, acacia flowers, caramel apple, custard and dried hay emerge, really rounding out the nose.

Feel – Soft and round, with a mid-palate creaminess that transforms on the palate to slightly grippy, as white minerals and a bright acidity add a lively complexity.

Taste – Bright and fresh, with zesty citrus in the lead. Lemon, lime and yellow grapefruit are out in front. These are followed by key lime, lemongrass, white flowers, subtle white spice and a hint of fresh pineapple.

Finish – Long and filled with bright flavors. Bright acids sustain the fruit for a long time, gradually transforming into mineral, soft spice and fresh white flowers.

Conclusion – We were very pleased with this approachable, value-priced summertime sipper. Today’s 2009 Quickfire Sauvignon Blanc – Napa Valley is a really delightful wine that exceeded our expectations. Loaded with tart and sweet citrus fruit and backed by a flinty minerality, great acidity and a lovely floral component, this wine is an easy-drinker that has enough character to be a part of the conversation. We call this a great ‘porch wine’ that would be lovely all on its own, but we recommend that you pair this built-for-food wine with your favorite spicy meal of seafood dish for fantastic results.

2007 Topel Winery Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Mission Codename: Duncan’s Delight

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Visit Topel Winery and acquire an allocation of their delicious 2007 Estate Reserve Mendocino Cabernet Sauvignon

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Topel Winery

Wine Subject: 2007 Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker: Donnis Topel

Backgrounder:

Mendocino AVA, located along the Russian River and highway 101 north of Sonoma County is where the grapes for this delicious Cabernet Sauvignon were grown. The actual AVA is centered between Hopland and Ukiah in the southern third of the county and are heavily influenced by the climate which is regulated by the mountain ridges that surround the upper Russian River. The deep alluvial and gravelly loam soils also contribute to the flavor profile of the grapes grown in the region. While Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Chardonnay are the primary grapes grown in the region, Cabernet Franc, Barbera, Petite Sirah and many other secondary grapes thrive in the climate.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Darkest burgundy hues, with a ring of brilliant magenta at the edge of the glass. After spinning the wine, tall, thin, wine-stained tears fall from high up on the glass, descending slowly to the wine, below.

Smell – A rush of mixed preserves of blackberry, blueberry and blueberry rush up to greet you on the nose. These are followed by ripe raspberry, candied cherry, soft brown spice, leather, subtle tobacco, dried black flower petals, subtle wild fennel and a hint of freshly cracked pepper.

Feel – Initially silky and then the wine grips the edges of the palate. Then, slowly, an elegant plushness spreads all around the palate as integrated tannins combine with a bright acidity to drive flavors to the far corners of the mouth.

Taste – Ripe and juicy, with generous mixed berries, cassis and plum in the lead. The more you spin the wine, the more it opens up, revealing additional aromas of braised mission fig, earthy leather, subtle tobacco leaf, brown spice, black cherry skin and a hint of cracked pepper.

Finish – Juicy and delicious, with dark berry fruit giving way to earthy flavors, spice, subtle dark minerals and a flinty cracked pepper that can be felt at the edges of the tongue and along the gumline.

Conclusion – Just outstanding! Today’s 2007 Topel Winery Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a dark, delicious, fruit-filled wine that delivers a great rush of fruit, an elegant mouthfeel and heady aromatics. This wine is very well balanced and it is drinking beautifully. Well-structured and complex, this is a fun wine to sip and discuss, pulling apart the myriad characteristics on the nose and palate. Pair with a beef stew or your favorite steak on the BBQ. Highly recommended, drink this gorgeous wine now – or hold this age-worthy gem for up to 10 more years.

Mission Report:

WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER

SUBJECT: Mark Topel

DATE OF BIRTH: January 11, 1945

PLACE OF BIRTH: Chicago, Illinois

WINE EDUCATION: Self-taught. Audited courses at UCDavis, mentored by some of the finest CA winemakers who are good friends, and OJT.

CALIFORNIA WINE JOB BRIEF: Winemaker, Topel Winery 1996 – Present

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: Minimal intrusion. Let the grapes express themselves.

SIGNATURE VARIETAL: Cabernet Sauvignon

CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Tremendous positive feedback from satisfied customers

WINEMAKER QUOTE: ”Each vintage is like a new and unique poem—handcrafted and polished to perfection”


WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

AGENT RED: Greetings, Mark. We are thrilled to be showing your exceptional 2007 Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon today. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.

MARK TOPEL: It is always a pleasure to share our wines with you and your discerning Operatives, Agent Red!

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

MARK: 1962/63 Penfolds Grainge Hermitage, discovered while I was in Australia, trying a legal case.

RED: And where did you learn the most about winemaking?

MARK: From my co-winemakers whose families had been working with grapes from our area for five generations.

RED: What is your winemaking style or philosophy?

MARK: Minimal intrusion to allow the grapes to express themselves in the most profound manner possible.

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

MARK: Three; The aforementioned Penfolds Grainge Hermitage style, Harlan’s Red Table Wine—Merlot/Cabernet Blend, and Chuck Wagner’s Caymus Special Select.

RED: How long have you been making wine?

MARK: Since 1993

RED: Who do you make wine for?

MARK: Simply, ourselves and our customers

RED: What is one piece of advice that you would give to someone that is considering a career as a winemaker?

MARK: There are no shortcuts, no tricks, only hard work, long hours, and dedication to perfection.

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

MARK: Lately, we’ve loved drinking this wine with a good steak or roasted chicken.

RED: What is your favorite ‘everyday’ or table wine?

MARK: Our Topel Estate Blend

RED: We’ll have to feature that one, soon! How would you recommend that people approach your wines, or wine in general?

MARK: In a not-too-serious, but appreciative mode, reflecting an understanding that they are about to experience a very pleasurable product, which has resulted from lots of loving and joyful careful preparation.

RED: In your opinion, what makes the Hopland/Mendocino region so special?

MARK: We have a unique micro-climate in Southeast Mendocino. Very similar to Calistoga. Warm summer days with cool Summer nights. Our ground is very difficult and filled with iron and magnesium. The grapes reflect that minerally quality, which works magically together with full food flavors.

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

DONNIS: We’re preparing for the summer bottling of our Napa Gamay and Dry Creek Valley Syrah. We’re watching the 2009 Topel Estate and Napa Reserve Cabernets closely, in the barrels, and will decide very soon when to get them in the bottle.

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

MARK AND DONNIS: Likewise, thank you for the opportunity to introduce new people to our wines!

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of Topel’s Healdsburg tasting room where today’s wine and other great wines can be tasted can be seen in this satellite photo.

2010 Pine Ridge Vineyards Dijon Clones Chardonnay

Mission Codename: The Best Yet

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Return to Wine Spies Operative favorite, Pine Ridge Vineyards, and secure an ample allocation of their exceptional 2010 Carneros Dijon Clone Chardonnay for our Operatives who, in previous vintages, purchased this Chardonnay on record numbers

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Pine Ridge Winery

Wine Subject: 2010 Dijon Clones Carneros Chardonnay – Napa Valley

Winemaker: Michael Beaulac

BackgrounderCarneros Chardonnay is revered for its quality, elegance and smoothness. The Carneros viticultural area, a wine growing region which straddles the Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley, has been a great source of wine that we have featured here. Always, those wine have been of supreme quality. The cool Carneros region provides ideal growing conditions for Chardonnay – and Chardonnay literally thrives there. Today’s Chardonnay is truly representative of the the best that region has to offer

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Light golden yellow, with perfect coloration, from edge through the core of the wine. After swirling, tall, thick, slow-moving tears form high up on the glass wall before marching slowly downward.

Smell – Lush and verdant, this wine leads with mixed, sweet citrus, lemon curd, acacia, braised green fig, white pear and orange blossom. As the wine warms a little, it exudes freshly cut sweetwood, lemongrass, dried apricot and green apple.

Feel – Soft and velvet-smooth as it crosses the front of the palate. At the mid-palate, the wine is round and lush. After a moment, a soft dryness begins to spread from the front of the palate, traveling rearward. This dryness carries the bright acidity of the wine to the far corners of the palate, driving the soft flavors of the wine as it moves.

Taste – Delicious and elegant, with layers of flavor. In the lead, mixed citrus, Granny Smith apple, white peach, pear and white flowers. As the wine opens, additional flavors follow on, including creamed honey, Asian pear, fresh apricot, vanilla and softly toasted oak.

Finish – Long and lush, with a unique dryness that begins at the tip of the tongue before traveling backward onto the rest of the palate. As this dryness spreads, the balanced acidity of the wine carries sweet and tart flavors along with it.

Conclusion – The 2010 Pine Ridge Vineyards Dijon Clone Chardonnay is a truly spectacular wine. We only wish that we could have gotten our hands on more of it. Our tasting panel expected great things from this wine, having reviewed a couple of past vintages, here. We were all more than impressed, unanimously agreeing that this wine is the best white that we have ever tasted from this Wine Spies favorite winery. Elegant, fresh, delicious, soft and loaded with intrigue, we give this wine our very strong recommendation. Don’t miss out. Quantities are limited and we will sell out.

Mission Report:

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the Pine Ridge Winery in the Stags’ Leap district in Napa County can be seen in this satellite photo.