2005 Kaz Winery Bob’s Aria Barbera

Mission Codename: Bob’s your Opera singing uncle

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Secure the latest creation from Kaz Winery

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Kaz Winery

Wine Subject: 2005 Bob’s Aria Barbera

Winemaker: Richard “Kaz” Kasmeier

Backgrounder:

Barbera is one of the most prolific grapes of Italy’s Piedmont. Generally light, fresh and fruity in character, Barbera is fast becoming a favorite of many U.S. wine-drinkers. It is ruby-red in color and darkens as it ages. Furthermore, as it ages Barbera typically loses some of its acidity and grows in terms of aroma and taste components. It was first brought to the United States and planted in Napa Valley by Italian immigrants.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Dark ruby red in color with garnet edges and lots of thin legs that streak down the side of the glass when swirled.

Smell – Big and profound tart fruit including pomegranate; oak, spice and floral components add to the bright and youthful nose on this wine; a subtle herbaceous hint of blackcurrant leaf and vanilla teases as well.

Feel – Tart and tangy with bright acidity and a mild sweetness on the tip of the tongue; medium tannins make this wine medium- to full-bodied.

Taste – Tart concentrated black-fruits and pomegranate with a sour raspberry component with layers of toasted oak and spicy pepper.

Finish – Long and lingering with lots of tart fruit, spice and oak.

Conclusion – If you love Kaz’s unique wines, then this Barbera is for you. This wine packs the tanginess that has made Kaz famous despite being the ‘smallest winery in Sonoma’. Give this wine some time to breathe and it softens.

Mission Report:

Most of our Operatives know that my own interest in wine was first sparked on a visit to the Kaz Winery in Sonoma County. For those that have not read my account, I submit it here for your enjoyment:

I am writing this report on my laptop, which sits perched atop the unpretentious bar in the Kaz Winery tasting room. It is exhilarating to be back here at the Kaz Winery, where I had my wine awakening.

My prior wine experience was limited merely to ‘red or white’; I had no clue that there was an amazing array of varietals to be experienced. I knew that I liked red wine better than white wine and I knew that some wines cost more than others. I was a total wine noob (newbie).

One day, while on my way to one of my favorite Sonoma County parks, I passed by a small winery that I had passed a half dozen times in recent months. Each time I passed by, my brain filled in more details about the place. It dawned on me that this particular winery, called the Kaz Winery was infinitesimally smaller than the behemoth corporate wineries I passed to get to this park. That made me wonder, were wines made by a smaller winery better, or worse than those from the big boys? Or, were small-winery wines less refined or less drinkable? I was soon to learn that small winery wines could be better, and that less refined could be a great thing, indeed.

With some trepidation I decided to go to the tasting room. Would these winefolk speak a language of wine that would be over my head? Would they be snobby and pretentious? I mustered my courage and walked to the door – which I tried, stupidly, to pull open. Pulling on the door caused it to bang loudly because it was a sliding barn door. I felt I was an idiot for missing the overtly placed sign with a thick black arrow and the words, “Slide to Open”. Despite my embarrassment I pressed onward and finally slid the door open.

Inside the room I saw several people lined up at a bar. They looked happy and relaxed. So, too, did the people behind the counter. They did not look as I had imagined wine people to look. One of the women behind the counter welcomed me in by waving me up to the bar. She asked me if I had ever been in before. I sheepishly admitted that I had not. She set a glass down in front of me and asked me what I would like to try. I asked her to surprise me, and boy did she deliver! What followed was a around-the-world tour of seven Kaz wines! My brain exploded. I would never be the same again.

Pour after pour, I was encouraged to look at the wine, to notice it, to sniff it and, of course, to taste it. I was awestruck by the subtleties of some wines, the brashness of others. I asked questions, listened, and absorbed the wisdom imparted to me on this visit. Before this visit I had known simple things like, wines are made from many different types of grapes, but I never understood why or what the differences were. The world of wine was finally becoming less of a mystery and more of a journey.

By the end of my visit I was well on my way to a paradigm shift in my perception of wine. I realized that wine is something that can be serious, or fun (or both simultaneously). I realized that wine can be enjoyed by anyone, even me. It made me wonder about other wineries and their wines. Could wine get even better than this? It was this simple question, brought on by my initial experience that drives me to this very day.

Standing there, again, at the Kaz tasting bar, awash in the significance of the place, I felt a sense of respect, contentment, and purpose. That place, with those wines… That is where it all began!

Footnote :Kaz is a man with a mission of his own; He is driven to deliver big wines that don’t pussyfoot around. He also does so with a cheerfully irreverent sense of humor. He is part scientist and part court jester. While his image, and those on his wine bottles shout playfulness and good humor, his wines are serious… or, better put, sincere. Oh, and of course they’re always delicious!

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the Saint Olof Vineyard in Lake County can be seen in this satellite photo.

Wine Spies Winery Check:

The Kaz Winery, however, can be seen in this satellite photo.