2004 St. Supery Vineyards & Winery Élu Napa Valley

Mission Codename: A rigged election?

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: St. Supery has been grabbing headlines with its Élu red blend. Not only because of the winery’s clever marketing campaign, but also because the wine is great! Infiltrate St. Supery campaign headquarters, interview the candidate, taste the wine and – if its great – secure an ample stash for our politically inclined Operatives

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: St. Supery Vineyards & Winery

Wine Subject: 2004 Élu, Napa Valley Red Meritage

Winemaker: Michael Beaulac

Backgrounder: When The Wine Spies learned that a St. Supery wine was running for President, Agent Red was sent to investigate. A mole deep inside St. Supery, a winery long recognized for its richly complex but infinitely approachable wines, was able to arrange an unprecedented audience with the candidate. Read Agent Red’s rare interview and tasting notes below – and learn why Élu has won our votes – and our hearts!

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Beautiful dark garnet, slightly brickish but with a burgundy influence, with deeply concentrated color through to the wines edges. The wine has a deep garnet to burgundy core, a springy surface that settles quickly after swirling – and thick, slow legs that move very steadily down the glass

Smell – Deeply aromatic bright fruits, dark blackberry, raspberry, toasty oak, soft spices and cassis

Feel – Initially wet at the front of the palate – then mouth-coating and rich with with solid tannins that fade to reveal follow-on flavors

Taste – Bright, juicy and delicious, with fresh tart cherries and cassis balanced against softer earthen flavors of subtle smoked blueberry, followed by a resurgence of bright fruit and soft wisps of mocha and mild spice

Finish – An exciting long and clean finish that ramps down smoothly, while continuing to reveal new flavors as it tapers off

Conclusion – This wine gets MY vote! Big and bright with terrific acidity that makes it the perfect running mate for most of the foods that we were able to throw at it. If you know my wine reviews, you know that I am a lover of great red blends. This one is delicious, and it shows off the great fruit and great skills of St. Supery. With a backbone of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (66%), the wine is balanced by Merlot (23%), Cabernet Franc (8%), Petite Verdot (2%) and Malbec (1%). The elegant Cab fruit is apparent in this wine, but the Merlot and the Cabernet Franc really shine through, tempering the Cabernet Sauvignons propensity for darkness and giving the wine a bright and more exuberant character.

Mission Report:

Last year, an unusual candidate for President of The United Sates of America threw his capsule into the ring. In just a few short months, Élu, who hails from St. Supery in the Napa Valley, is a leading contender for the Nation’s top spot.

A Red Meritage blend, Élu, is America’s leading wine candidate for President, promoting “sustainability, balance and availability.” The Independent candidate is single, prefers not to divulge its religious affiliation, and promises to announce its running mate and “Cab-inet” soon, according to www.elu08.com.

Recently, Agent Red was granted a unique one-on-one sit down interview with the candidate – at an undisclosed location. What follows is a full transcript of the interview:

Agent Red: Thank you very much for speaking with me today. Our Operatives are very eager to get to know you better and we appreciate your taking time away from your busy campaigning.

Élu: It is my great pleasure, Red.

Q: Let me get right to the questions. The price of oil seems to be soaring to new heights each day. If elected, what will you do to curtail the high gas prices that Americans are paying at the pump each day?
A: I encourage all Americans to drink more wine! Since it is illegal (not to mention irresponsible) to drink and drive, we can all play a part in reducing the demand for foreign oil

Q: You’ve risen to fame on a platform of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 2% Petite Verdot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec. What do you say to those that would accuse you of pandering to Cabernet Sauvignon, while almost ignoring the others?
A: I strive for balance, and frankly, my superior aromatics, deep flavors and terrific finish speak for themselves.

Q: How would you fight the War on Terror?
A: Well Red, to be honest, I’m a lover and not a fighter. Once again, wine is the answer; If more people of legal drinking age enjoy wine, perhaps we’d see more love and understanding

Q: Many Americans are concerned about loses in the stock market, what are your plans to alleviate American’s market fears?
A: I encourage all Americans to diversity their investments by adding grape futures to their portfolios and 401Ks.

Q: If elected, how long do you plan to stay in office, and are you ready to serve now?
A: I’m good to go, Red, now through 2015 – as long as the temperature and humidity are at optimum levels throughout.

Q: How would you characterize the differences between yourself and the other, albeit lagging, candidates?
A: I won’t speak to my opponents’ youth and inexperience. This election is about character, and when it comes to character, I am one.

Q: What is your environmental policy?
A: Hot days, followed by cool nights, of course. That’s when grapes thrive!

Q: Honestly, Global Warming is a major concern for many citizens, what are your plans to combat greenhouse emissions?
A: In short, I plan to mandate the planting of more vineyards to consume greenhouse gases. Studies also show that when people consume wine, they reduce their personal emissions of green house gases

Q: As a 2004, what can you tell us about your particular vintage?
A: Easy: 2004 was a banner your in the Napa Valley, producing more award-winning reds than in other recent years. How do you think I got my elegant charm?

Q: During the primary season, your rhetoric appealed to your base, but some accuse you know of flip-flopping to court centrist voters, are you a flip flopper?
A: It is important to realize that I am 100% committed to my core values of great taste… or, tasting great!

Q: Many Americans are worried about the rising cost of health care in the country, not to mention the millions that don’t have any coverage at all…
A: Let me start by saying a glass of wine a night has been proven to have positive health benefits including lower stress, lower cholesterol, and a lower incidence of heart disease. If each and every American of legal age enjoyed a glass, we would go a long way to improving our preventive care system

Agent Red: Thank you Élu. You certainly have the support of The Wine Spies and we are sure that we’ll see you in the Oval Office after the election!

Élu: Thanks again, Agent Red. Anyone who meets me is immediately impressed by my sophisticated blending. I am drinkable, elegant, silky and harmonious. You can’t say that of my opponents!

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the St. Supery Vineyards & winery can be seen in this satellite photo.