2004 Castello di Conti Boca DOC Nebbiolo Blend

Mission Codename: The Rarest of the Romans

Operative: Agent White

Objective: Visit the historic Boca DOC in Italy’s Piedmont and secure an exclusive allocation of wine from this very special region.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Cantine del Castello di Conti

Wine Subject: 2004 Boca DOC Nebbiolo Blend

Winemakers: Paola, Anna and Elena Conti

Backgrounder: The wines of Boca DOC, located in the Novara Hills (just north of Gattinara) of the Piedmont, are predominantly Nebbiolo based with the addition of Vespolina and sometimes Uva Rara (Bonarda Novarese). The region located to the north and west of Milan and just across the river from Gattinara. In addition to Nebbiolo, the local grapes of Vespolina and Bonarda may be used in the wines.

Today’s wine is 70% of Nebbiolo, 25% of Vespolina, 5% of Uva Rara and was aged for 36 months in oak and then an additional aging in the bottle. Organic ad Bio-Dynamically produced.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Brilliantly clear ruby red in its core with a touch of purple to add density. Along the edges this wine’s patina lightens slightly and includes hints of brick and orange. When swirled, fast thin legs quickly ring the glass and are followed by slow and tightly spaced tears that descend at varying speeds.

Smell – Spiced and herbal red fruit leads the way with bright notes of red cherry and zesty black licorice. Hints of violets mature toasted oak and earthy undertones adds depth and complexity.

Feel – Bright and spicy on the initial attack, this warm medium-to-full bodied dry wine has highly textured firm but finely grained tannins that quickly coat the palate. Vibrant acidity and characteristic etch minerality holds on to the red fruit tightly as the other complex flavors linger.

Taste – Sweet and ripe red fruit including red cherry, tart raspberry and other ripe and tart berries blend with a touch of citrus. Spice and a touch of pepper, black licorice and green herbs follow in succession and are supported by a zesty mineral and tar component, floral violets and toasted oak.

Finish – Extremely long and warm with the textured tannins, acidity and minerality lasting and lasting as hints of the red fruit and other complex flavors slowly fade.

Conclusion – The 2004 Conti Boca DOC Nebbiolo Blend is quite a remarkable wine with all the character you’d expect from Nebbiolo in its adolescence but the addition of Vespolina and Bonarda Novarese providing notes of sweetness and warmth that balances the fantastic etched mouth feel. Even at eight years old, this wine is youthful and will cellar for ten to fifteen years, so if enjoying this wine now, be sure to let it open up or decant it. Pair with classic Piedmontese cuisine, creamy risottos and anything with truffles.

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The approximate location of the Boca DOC can be seen in this satellite photo.

2007 Robert James Lynch Bodaeceia Red Bordeaux Style Blend

Mission Codename: Queen of the Iceni

Operative: Agent White

Objective: Revisit or friend Bob Lynch from Irish Monkey Cellars and bring you his fantastic personal labeled Bodaeceia Bordeaux Style Red Blend.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Robert James Lynch

Wine Subject: 2007 Bodaeceia Red Bordeaux Style Blend

Winemaker: Bob Lynch

Backgrounder: Bordeaux wines are usually a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet France, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Carmenere. In France and in California’s versions, perfection is achieved with the perfect balance of these grapes highlighting each varietal’s characteristics. Today’s 2007 Bodaeceia Red Bordeaux Style Blend is a delicious blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec with a little Mouvedre mixed in for ‘poetic’ purposes.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Extremely dark and dense purple, nearly black from some angles, but ruby red reflections shine though it’s clear but dense heart. Along the edges the color pales only slightly to purple-ruby. When swirled, this wine initially leaves evenly spaced broad legs those are followed by slower thin legs that hang on the side of the glass.

Smell – Bountiful black and red fruit aromas of blackberry, cherry, cassis, currants and plum are framed by spice and pepper as well as toasted oak and licorice notes. Hints of dark cocoa, exotic spice and even floral hints hide just underneath the rich spicy fruit.

Feel – Warm and generous, this rich full-bodied and dry wine expands over the palate with finely grained but present tannins. A touch of mineral texture and rustic tangy acidity holds everything together into the finish.

Taste – All the dark fruit from the nose is boldly leads the way on the palate with jammy and ripe blackberry, dark cherry and other dark berries blending with exotic spice, pepper and toasted oak. As the initial round of dark fruit fades, red fruit follows with sweet cocoa and floral notes.

Finish – Long and generous with the ripe, rich and jammy fruit lasting and lasting. Hints of spice, cocoa, rustic texture and oak linger on and invite another sip.

Conclusion – The 2007 Robert James Lynch Bodaeceia Red Bordeaux Style Blend is not only delicious, but is also rustic and fun to drink. Serious enough to please the enthusiast but still warm and approachable to enjoy in big gulps. A great wine to pair with your summer BBQ or to enjoy in front of your outdoor fire as the warm night lingers. Enjoy this wine tonight after letting it open for about 45 minutes or cellar for the next five years.

Mission Report:

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The approximate location of the Irish Monkey Cellarswhere this wine can be found can be seen in this satellite photo.

2007 Adobe Road Mendocino County Grenache

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Mission Codename: The Jealous Crown

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Return to Operative favorite, Adobe Road Winery, where Agent Red first tasted their 2007 Grenache six months ago. He loved the wine, then, so have him reexamine it to see if it is ready for our very demanding Operatives. If the wine is even better than is was on first tasting, have Red secure an ample allotment.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Adobe Road Winery

Wine Subject: 2007 Mendocino County Grenache

Winemaker: Michael Scorsone

Backgrounder: Grenache, one of the most widely planted grapes in the world, is most famous for its use as the primary grape in France’s Chateauneuf-du-Pape. A late ripening grape, it grows best in hot, dry climates. It is generally considered to be a spiced, berry-flavored grape that is somewhat soft on the palate.

The 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. Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel are the primary grapes grown in this region but, in hotter pockets of the AVA, Grenache thrives.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Beautiful, shimmering ruby hues, from the pure ruby core of the wine, out to the glinting ruby edges. That’s a lot of ruby, yes, but you’ll see what we mean when you hold this shimmering wine up to the light. After a good swirl, wave after wave of skinny legs run slowly down the glass.

Smell – Sweet and softly spiced, with blueberry, red cherry and dried cranberry out in front. Cherry cordial candy, young strawberry, dried blackberry, cocoa and a hint of sweet cedar.

Feel – Cool and light across the tip of the tongue. Then, the wine quickly becomes plush and medium bodied, gaining in dimension as it lands on the mid-palate. After a few moments, fine-grained tannins give the wine a softly dry, slightly grippy feel. Gradually, the cheeks and lips become dry and a flinty flavor and feel appear.

Taste – Delicious, red, juicy and intriguing, led by softly spiced cherry, dark red plum skin, dark red flower petals, cranberry and red currant. Just behind these,forresty wildberry, bramble, soft lather, spice and minerals provide flavors that prop up the red fruits.

Finish – Red fruit and earthen flavors linger for a long time. As they fade, a distinct and intriguing flinty minerality appears at the back of the palate, and spreads forward. Eventually, flint spreads to the lips and cheeks, delivering a slight hint of cracked pepper spiciness to the tip of the tongue.

Conclusion – Goodness, but we just love this 2007 Mendocino County Grenache from our good friends at Adobe Road Winery. We first tasted the wine about six months ago and we really enjoyed it, then. Recently, though, we had an updated tasting – and decided that we had to show this wine to our Operatives. Where many a California Grenache can have a somewhat astringent quality to it, this wine shows much more fruit and suppleness on the palate. Flavors are big and red and juicy and the feel is quite plush. The finish is really quite intriguing, with fruit that fades slowly, leading to a distinctive flinty flavor that spreads around the palate, ultimately driving a hint of freshly cracked pepper right to the tip of the tongue. We are really crazy about this very summer-ready, food-friendly wine and it easily earns our solid recommendation.

Mission Report:

Wine Spies Winery Check:

The approximate location of the Adobe Road tasting room, in the heart of the town of Sonoma, California, can be seen in this satellite photo.

2008 Vergari Wine Marin County Pinot Noir

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Mission Codename: Calling Agent Elvis!

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Return to Vergari Wines, a Wine Spies Operative favorite, and secure the newest vintage of David Vergari’s delicious and unique Marin County Pinot Noir, a 93-point (Wine & Spirits Magazine) stunner.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Vergari Wines

Wine Subject: 2008 Pinot Noir – Marin County

Winemaker: David Vergari

Backgrounder: We first featured a fantastic Marin County Pinot Noir from Vergari, back in early 2011. Our Operatives loved the wine, buying it in record numbers and returning to the winery, itself, to purchase more. Today, we are thrilled to feature the worthy successor to that wine. David Vergari’s brilliant 2008 has garnered much attention, including a stellar 93-point score. If you haven’t tasted David Vergari’s Marin County Pinot Noit, please be sure to try this special wine.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – When viewed from the side, the wine appears dark ruby red. Viewed from the top, it shows more clear and light, with a dark pink hue. At the edge of the glass, a fin ring of light pink encircles the wine. After you spin the wine, short, chubby legs take a very long time to appear before slowly running downward to the wine below.

Smell – Spiced cherry candy and young strawberry mingle with dried violets, young blackberry, Bing cherry, cranberry and flinty gunpowder. Underneath, soft cedar, tomato stem and dried leaves round out the nose.

Feel – Light and softly grippy at the tip of the tongue, the wine quickly settles onto the entire palate, introducing a flinty dryness that spreads gradually wound the mouth. Bright acids and soft tannins frame the fruit beautifully.

Taste – Bright and balanced, leading off with spiced cherry, young strawberry, tart cranberry and red plum. The fruit is balanced against earthy dried flowers, flint, subtle dried herbs and cedar. At the very end, a white pepper appears, driving flavors to the far corners of the palate.

Finish – Very long and full of lingering red fruit flavors. Fruit gives way to more earthy delights and as these all begin to tail off, an intriguing white pepper feeling appears, driving flavors even more deeply onto the palate.

Conclusion – Unique, intriguing and oh, so delicious, this is one Pinot Noir that you won’t want to miss. Wine & Spirits Magazine gets it right when they declare, “One of the Top Pinots of the Year” and award the wine a stellar 93-point score. This wine is bright, juicy, tender and delicious. It is the perfect compliment to a great meal, and our tasting panel also found it to be a fantastic Summer solo sipper. It is terrific all on its own. From initial sip, to the intriguing, driving finish, this wine is an exciting treat. Once again, David Vergari (who we call “Agent Elvis”) has crafted another Pinot Noir that is worthy of your table! This wine gets our hearty Wine Spies recommendation.

2004 Hawley Winery and Vineyards Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Mission Codename: What happened to my socks?!

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Return to Hawley Winery and raid their secret archive. This time, retrieve their extraordinary Library Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine known for its depth, character and delicious flavors.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Hawley Winery

Wine Subject: 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon – Dry Creek Valley

Winemaker: John Hawley

Backgrounder: Winemaker John Hawley has been making wine for some of the most prestigious wine brands in industry. In 1996 he built his own winery in the hills above the fabled Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma County. Today, John and his two sons handcraft small lots of exceptional wines that express the unique character of their region.

The Dry Creek Valley AVA in north eastern Sonoma (north of Healdsburg) county is somewhat warmer and wetter than the Russian River Valley AVA region just to the south and the Alexander Valley AVA just to the east. This warmer, wetter climate provides great versatility with regard to the types of grapes that can be effectively cultivated in the region.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Darkest garnet with a deep and slightly inky core. The wine maintains even color, right out to the black cherry-colored edges. After a good swirl, tight clusters of skinny tears fall from high up on the glass wall.

Smell – Lush and full, with a rush of leathery black cherry, black raspberry and over ripe blackberry that just leap from the glass. As the wine breathes, it reveals additional aromas of black currant, softly toasted oak and warm brown spice.

Feel – Plush and medium-bodied across the tip of the tongue, the wine slowly grows in dimension, gaining weight and complexity as it settles onto the palate. A chewy feel then spreads around the plate and smooth tannins add a softly grippy plushness.

Taste – Juicy and dark and softly smoky, all at once, this delicious wine leads with black cherry, dark plum, blackberry and toasty oak. As you spin the wine, it opens up to reveal flavors of dark chocolate, leather, softest spice and a subtle hint of grilled fennel.

Finish – Darkly juicy and packed with flavors, fruit and earthy characteristics fade into a medium-long finish. At the very end, dark leather and Bing cherry sustain for even longer, mingling with a delicious, flinty black pepper.

Conclusion – Impressive! We have always really loved Hawley’s wines, but this 2004 Hawley Winery Cabernet Sauvignon really knocked our socks off. This wine is drinking so beautifully, right now, with plenty of bright red fruit, leather, spice and other earthy flavors. The feel in the mouth is elegant, satisfying and plush. Bright fruit makes this wine an easy food pairing companion. We’d recommend this wine with an herb roasted chicken or a garlic-rubbed grilled skirt steak, with grilled veggies and chocolate cake. This wine receives a hearty Wine Spies recommendation!

Mission Report:

WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER

SUBJECT: John Hawley

WINE EDUCATION: UC Davis, Fermentation Science 1980

CALIFORNIA WINE JOB BRIEF: 1980 Preston Vineyards- Assistant Winemaker; 1981-1989 Clos du Bois- Winemaker; 1990-1996 Kendall-Jackson- Chief Winemaker; 1996-Present Hawley Winery- Winemaker

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: Wine is more than the sum of its parts. It is an interaction between the people, the farming, the fruit and the processes that makes it something more than just fermented grape juice.

WINEMAKER QUOTE: ”No guts, no glory. That’s what I said last harvest when everyone was worried about the weather and picking grapes early. Grape growing is farming and you have to have a little faith that it’s all going to turn out alright, even if there is a rainstorm on the horizon and your Chardonnay still has two weeks to go.”

FIRST COMMERCIAL WINE RELEASE: My first release under my own label was 1995 Merlot and 1996 Viognier released in 1997.



WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

AGENT RED: Greetings, John. We are thrilled to be showing your 2004 Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon today. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.

JOHN HAWLEY: Very good to be back with you, Agent Red.

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

JOHN: I grew up in a wine drinking family and started appreciating wines very young. My dad has always been a passionate wine enthusiast. On my 25th birthday he took me out to dinner and told me it was about time I decided what I was going to do with my life. I was a carpenter at the time and was ceramics major at university of Oregon. I told him I was considering transferring to UC Davis to study winemaking. I was interested in the science of fermentation; the chemistry and micro-biology. He said “Great! Let’s decide it right now then. You are going to be a winemaker.”

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

JOHN: There are a number of French winemakers that I admire. Their wines fit my palate. I enjoy wines that are made to age and made to go well with food. Of all the greatest wines I have ever tasted, none of them were young wines. There are a lot of new wine style trends and technology, but the French figured it all out a long time ago and their techniques still make some of the best wines. I have always looked to adapt old French winemaking techniques to California fruit.

RED: Who do you make wine for?

JOHN: I make wines to sell. I can’t drink that much wine myself. But I also make wines that I like. I feel that I have a pretty main-stream palate and wines that appeal to me tend to please most people’s palate. That is one of the reasons I was successful at Clos du Bois and Kendall-Jackson.

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

JOHN: Our Cabernet is planted on the steepest part of our estate on Bradford Mountain, overlooking Dry Creek Valley. We began farming organically in 2002 and do not use any chemical pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers in the growing of the grapes. The 2004 vintage is a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Merlot.

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

JOHN: I think this wine would be awesome with grilled lamb. It is structured with a nice acidity and made to go with food. It is a wine that you can keep sipping and discovering new flavors and aromas.

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

JOHN: I moved to Dry Creek Valley in 1977 and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. The area has changed a lot since then. Healdsburg was pretty much a one horse town back then and now it is an international destination. What I think is special is that even with the development and hotels and four star restaurants, the area is still an agricultural based community and the town hasn’t lost its small town charm.

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

JOHN: I’ve been out in the vineyard for the last few days. We grow a cover crop in the winter to fix nutrients back into the soil, and now is the time to disc the plants back into the soil. I‘m the owner/winemaker, but I‘m also the main cellar rat and vineyard worker. I’m also a falconer and have been training my red tailed hawk, Breeze, to hunt out in the vineyard.

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

JOHN: I guess I just hope people approach wine with an interest and an open mind. If you like it, it’s good wine; and if you don’t, it’s not.

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

JOHN: It is important to know that my Bordeaux-style wines are extremely age-worthy and are meant to be bottle aged. Older bordereaux-style wines benefit from decanting. The 2004 is still improving but is tasting great right now. It can be aged for easily another five years. Part of the fun of wine is experiencing how they develop over time.
I also want to mention that although I’m the winemaker, I work closely with my two sons, Paul and Austin. They have been working with me for about five years now and they’re proving to be pretty good winemakers. I may even be able to retire someday.

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 the Hawley Winery tasting room, in downtown Healdsburg, can be seen in this satellite photo.

2008 Fess Parker Winery Rodney's Vineyard Syrah

Mission Codename: Pulling No Punches

Operative: Agent White

Objective: Return to our friends at Fess Parker Winery and retrieve the next vintge of their fantastic Rodney’s Vineyard Syrah.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Fess Parker Winery

Wine Subject: 2008 Rodney’s Vineyard Syrah

Winemaker: Blair Fox

Backgrounder:

France’s Rhone Valley stretches from Vienne in the north down to the Arles in the south may be best known for its intricate blends of red varietals as demonstrated by its legendary Chateauneuf-du-Pape,. It is in the spirit of these unique Terroir driven varietals that inspires today’s selection. Syrah, a native to the Rhone Valley find an excellent home in California’s Santa Ynez Valley just north of Santa Barbara.

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 – Beautifully dense and dark garnet in color with a dark but clear core that shows ruby reflections when tipped into to the light. Along the edges the color lightens only slightly and when swirled fat color stained legs hang on the lower edge of the glass.

Smell – Intense and rich with lots of dark and black fruit including black cherry, blackberry and spiced dark plum. These aromas blend with toasted and smoky oak, spice, pepper and dark earthy notes. A touch of cigar box and savory hints round out the nose.

Feel – Richly textured and dry, this full-bodied wine is generous on the palate with firm, expansive, mouth drying tannins. Spice, along with a healthy dose of acidity and textured minerality, frames the fruit and lingers into the finish.

Taste – Focused and rich dark fruit leads the way with black cherry, blackberry and dark plum blend with spicy pepper, dark mineral, savory flavors and licorice. Hot spice follows along with smoky and toasted oak. Throw in some bittersweet cocoa, cigar box and earth for added complexity

Finish – Extremely long with the dark and black fruit lingering on, only fading to give way to the spice, pepper flavors and textured minerality. As the spice continues, hints of the other complex flavors appear and invite another sip.

Conclusion – If you are a fan of big, rich and bold Syrah, then the 2008 Fess Parker Winery Rodney’s Vineyard Syrah is the wine for you. This wine is a pull no punches Syrah that delivers abundant black fruit and other classic Syrah aromas and flavors from start to finish. Be sure to give this wine time to open up if enjoying now or cellar for up to five to seven years. This wine is ideal for a big juicy steak grilled on theBBQ.

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the Fess Parker Winery in Santa Barbara’s famous Foxen Canyon can be seen in this satellite photo.

2009 B.R. Cohn Winery Carneros Sangiacomo Vineyard Chardonnay

Mission Codename: The Dust of Carneros

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: In time for Spring and Summer imbibing, infiltrate B. R. Cohen and abscond with every last case of their remarkable Carneros Chardonnay, a limited-release wine that is very nearly sold out, all around the world.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: B. R. Cohen

Wine Subject: 2009 Carneros Chardonnay – Sangiacomo Vineyard

Winemaker: Tom Montgomery

Backgrounder: The cool Carneros region provides ideal growing conditions for Chardonnay and Chardonnay literally thrives there. B. R. Cohen’s limited release Carneros Chardonnay is a remarkable wine that showcases the best that the region has to offer.

Sangiacomo Backgrounder: Three generations of the Sangiacomo family have farmed their family vineyards in the Carneros AVA. World renown for growing distinctive, award-winning cool climate grapes, the family is best known for their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Today’s fruit comes exclusively from select vineyard rows, resulting in a wine that is distinctive and delicious.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Deep golden yellow, with even coloration, from the edge of the wine through to its clear core. After a hearty swirl, tall, slow-moving legs form high up on the glass wall.

Smell – After the aforementioned swirl, and before even lifting the glass to the nose, aromas of dark citrus and sweetwood waft from the glass. On closer inspection, the wine exudes lush aromas of lemon-grass, warm mixed citrus, white pear, orange blossom, fresh cut almond wood and white minerals.

Feel – Soft and velvety at the tip of the tongue. The wine glides across the mid-palate, where it gains in dimension and complexity. A plushness gathers at the mid, spreading outward to the entire palate, introducing a crushed velvet feel. Eventually, the lips and cheeks are left with a slight, pleasant dryness.

Taste – Layered, complex and delicious, with bold flavors of citrus, yellow apple, pear, green apple, white spice and creamed honey.

Finish – Very long and packed with dense flavors that linger on and on after you sip. As the fruit tails off, slowly, a soft spice appears, accompanied by a subtle flinty dryness and a hint of oak.

Conclusion – The 2009 B. R. Cohen Carneros Chardonnay is a wonderful, delicious, flavor-filled wine that has a silky mouth feel. Aromatics are through the roof, with the fruit that wafts out of the glass before you even lift the wine to your nose. On the palate, the wine is smooth and while there is oak, this wine is nobutter bomb like some oaky California Chardonnay. Instead, this wine is balanced and easy on the senses. Allow the wine to warm once you take it from the fridge and you’ll be rewarded with far greater dimensionality on the nose and in the mouth. Pair this fresh-flavored wine your favorite fresh foods, or enjoy it all on its own.

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the B. R. Cohen winery can be seen in this satellite photo.

2007 Castello Ducale Pallagrello Nero Terre del Volturno IGT

Mission Codename: The Land of Volturno

Operative: Agent White

Objective: Visit Italy’s Campania region and secure an exclusive and rare selection for our operatives.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Castello Ducale

Wine Subject: 2007 Pallagrello Nero – Terre del Volturno IGT

BackgrounderPallagrello Nero is a rare bark skinned grape of Italian heritage Plantings of this unique and rustic varietal dates back to roman times. The Terre del Volturno IGT is located in the Campania region of southern Italy. The wines of this region are predominantly red with grapes that include Aglianino, Casavecchi, and Pallagrello Blanco and Nero as is the case of this wine.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Dark garnet with bright ruby red streaks that shine through its clear but dense heart. The color lightens only slightly along the edges and when swirled, clusters of randomly spaced medium legs streak down the side of the glass.

Smell – Bright and rustic aromas of red cherry, raspberry and ripe plum blend with earthy, spicy and floral aromas. Notes of green herbs and softly toasted oak along with toasted vanilla adds depth and invites a sip.

Feel – Smooth and plush upon entry before the finely textured tannins and mouth drying minerality hits at mid palate. This dry and medium-to-full bodied wine has soft but balanced acidity that peaks at the back of the tongue and last into the finish.

Taste – Ripe and plush flavors of red cherry, raspberry, strawberry and red plum leads the way and is followed by this wine’s earthy, exotic spice, hot pepper and toasted vanilla flavors. As the toasted vanilla lingers hints of green herbs and dried flowers appear along with notes of leather and oak.

Finish – Very long, with the mouth drying tannins and minerality lasting and lasting. The red fruit flavors fade leaving behind the oak and toasted vanilla as well as hints of earth and herbs.

Conclusion – The 2007 Castello Ducale Pallagrello Nero – Terre del Volturno IGT is a classic rustic southern Italian wine. Plenty of red fruit and the toasted vanilla lasts from start to finish. Its mouth drying minerality and tannins as well as its balanced acidity lends itself to rich sauces, baked pasta and dried or roasted meats. Enjoy this wine tonight or cellar for the next thee to five years.

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The approximate location of the Castello Ducale can be seen in this satellite photo.

2007 McKenzie-Mueller 'The Spaghetti Western' Napa Valley Red Wine

Mission Codename: A Fist Full of Grapes

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Return to McKenzie-Mueller winery and raid their stash. Locate their flagship red blend and retrieve an ample allotment for our eager Operatives.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: McKenzie-Mueller

Wine Subject: 2007 Spaghetti Western, Napa Valley Red Blend

Winemaker: Robert Mueller

Backgrounder: Winemaker, Robert Mueller, whose 40 year career has seen him work at Robert Mondavi, Opus One and McKenzie-Mueller, is revered as one of Napa’s best.

2007 was a banner year for California red wines, earning a stellar 96 Points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. Some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon in the world come from Napa Valley. Today’s limited-production wine is an exciting, expressive, food-fantastic red blend of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, and Petit Verdot.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Dark ruby hues with a deep and inky heart. At the edge of the glass, a fine ring of magenta encircles the wine. After swirling, the wine settles quickly, leaving behind tall columns of very slow-moving legs.

Smell – Bright and sweet, balances beautifully againstdark and earthy. Juicy red cherry, dried cranberry and wild strawberry are in perfect juxtaposition with dusty bramble, dried leather, soft cedar, subtle brown spice and black pepper.

Feel – Medium bodied, initially, this wine grows on the palate, stretching out and driving a mouth-coating plushness that spreads a dryness from corner to corner. Bright acidity presents at the edges of the palate and integrated tannins give the wine a plush, softly dry feel.

Taste – Black cherry and brambly blackberry meld with dried cherry, black currant, black plum, dried tobacco leaf, black pepper and flinty minerals.

Finish – Long and flavorful, with black cherry juice, black currant, blackberry and softly spicy plum. After the wine breathes for a while, it reveals toasty oak, cocoa dust, bramble, black pepper and a hint of savory sage.

Conclusion – This is a wine that is built for food! Each sip is a flavor-filled, palate-cleansing delight. This delicious wine is loaded with dark fruit, but it presents such great acidity as well. When I reviewed this wine, I first wondered if the winery picked early, which would give the wine that bright, high-acid quality. However, I quickly realized that there was plenty of dark, extracted fruit, too. Pair this wine with a hearty grilled meat. I enjoyed mine with a huge plate of spaghetti and meatballs! The combination is fun and just right. This limited-production wine (each bottle is numbered) gets my hearty recommendation.

Mission Report:

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the McKenzie-Mueller Winery can be seen in this satellite photo.

2007 Pestoni Family Howell Mountain Estate Reserve Merlot

Mission Codename: Above the Fog

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Merlot is not frequently featured here, not because we don’t love the food-fantastic varietal, but because we are so picky. Respond to Operative requests for a great Merlot by sending Agent Red to our friends at Rutherford Grove Winery. Investigate their premium Howell mountain Reserve Merlot. If the wine is superb, secure an ample allocation.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Rutherford Grove Winery and Vineyards

Wine Subject: 2007 Pestoni Family Howell Mountain Estate Reserve Merlot

Winemaker: Andy Pestoni

Backgrounder: Merlot, one of the primary grape varietals from Bordeaux finds an exceptional home in the Napa Valley. Napa County’s Howell Mountain AVA, established in 1984 is known for its wines of deep concentration and intensity. The higher elevation and relatively flat aspect make the location great for vineyards, and specifically Bordeaux varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The first vines in the Howell Mountain area were planted in the 1880s.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Deep ruby hues with a slightly darker core, this wine shows a pretty magenta ring at the edge of the glass. After swirling the wine, tall, skinny, widely-spaced, wine-stained tears form high up on the glass wall, before rocketing downward.

Smell – Fragrant and lush with pronounced black cherry, dusty bramble, blackberry and dried cranberry out in the lead. Swirl the wine and you’ll coax out additional aromas of boysenberry, raspberry, cracked leather, subtlest cracked pepper and a hint of fresh mint at the very back of the nose.

Feel – Soft and round at the front of the palate, the wine then introduces a soft dryness at the edges of the palate. Gradually, this dryness spreads inward, eventually drying the cheeks and lips. Soft, integrated tannins balance against the juicy bright acidity of the wine.

Taste – Sweet dried cherry, dried cranberry, strawberry and raspberry take the lead. Leather, soft oak, bramble, black pepper and shaved dark chocolate follow behind.

Finish – Very long, slightly dry and loaded with red fruit flavors that give way to leather, spice, chocolate and black pepper at the very end.

Conclusion – Ahhhh. When a Merlot is great, it is great. Today’s 2007 2007 Pestoni Family Howell Mountain Estate Reserve Merlot from Rutherford Grove Winery is, you guessed it, great. Juicy, complex, bright and delicious, this is a very food-friendly and flexible wine that will pair with almost anything. We paired our review bottles with grilled pizzas. See our recipe, below. the pairing was absolutely perfect. If you love Merlot, we’re confident that you’ll fall in love with this special, high-elevation delight from our friends at Rutherford Grove Winery.

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the Rutherford Grove Winery and Vineyards can be seen in this satellite photo.