2007 Foppoli Wines 1470 Foppoli Chardonnay

Mission Codename: 538 Years

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Locate a premium Sonoma County Chardonnay for the summertime enjoyment of our demanding Operatives

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Foppoli Wines

Wine Subject: 2007 ‘1470’ Chardonnay

Winemaker: Richard Foppoli

Backgrounder:The Foppoli have been in the wine trade for 583 years. In California, the family has been making wines for the last 100 years. Prior, in Italy, where the family began in the trade by meticulously growing grapes for some of the finest wines to emerge from northern Italy. Today, the family continues the tradition with its estate wines, including today’s limited-production 1470 Chardonnay, a wine to get very excited about. Read Agent Red’s tasting notes, followed by his interview with Dominic Foppoli, the 5th generation decendant of the American branch of this prolific winemaking family

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Pale and clear straw-yellow with glinting edges. Fat clusters of narrowly-spaced slender legs streak down the side of the glass when swirled

Smell – Beautiful medium intensity aromas of ripe tropical pineapple, acacia and soft citrus, with hints of green apple, lime and flint. These sit gently atop a very subtle layer of buttered popcorn that really rounds out the bouquet

Feel – Velvety and so very smooth up front, with an initial sweet attack that is followed by a slightly dry, slightly mineral feel on the bright mid-palate. Great structure with a very creamy that accentuates the bright fruit and acidity

Taste – Flavors of real tropical fruit and citrus, with soft flavors of pineapple, guava, citrus, and Asian mango. These are complimented by a creamy but soft butter component, with a touch of orange blossom honey

Finish – A medium long finish with well integrated flavors of its tropical fruit, minerals and citrus

Conclusion – This wine is a sheer joy to drink! It is delicious, well balanced, and has a voluptous feel that we cannot get enough of. This no-oak Chardonnay doesn’t overpower you with oak and butter as some Cali Chards may tend to do. Classic flavors of tropical fruit, paired with soft citrus make for an enjoyable drinking experience. This wine will pair well with lighter fare as easily as with summer BBQ. Yes, Chardonnay and BBQ. Try it, you’ll see! Also, I encourage you to sample this wine at varrying temperatures. I enjoyed it righ out of the chiller, but as the wine warmed to room temp, it softened and new flavors emerged, making the wine very fun to spend some extended time with. Our only regret with this wine is that there were so few cases produced. If you love creamy and velvety Chardonnay’s, this wine is a certain winner

Mission Report:

WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER

SUBJECT: RICHARD FOPPOLI

DATE OF BIRTH: May 1st, 1951

PLACE OF BIRTH: San Francisco

WINE EDUCATION: Taught by Grandfather. Subsequent degrees in Biology, Chemistry and Viticulture

CALIFORNIA WINE JOB BRIEF: Entire career in family wine business

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: “Never be satisfied with your winemaking. Strive to be better with each vintage”

SIGNATURE VARIETAL: Chardonnay

CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Planting Foppoli Estate vineyard with world-class Chardonnay

CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Spending time with world famous ‘maverick’ Rich, Fred Franzia of Bronco Wines

WINEMAKER QUOTE: “My grapes are kissed by the fog and nurtured by the sun”

WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

AGENT RED: Greetings, Richard. We are thrilled to be showing your 1470 today. We love it. It is velvety-smooth and extremely delicious. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.

RICH: It is my extreme pleasure to share my passion with you

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

RICH: I was 12 living in Italy visiting family friends in Asti when i was given a glass of a 1961 Barbera that literally marked me for life. I was amazed that such wine existed and happily consumed ever after

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

RICH: I learned equally in italy and california

RED: What is your winemaking style or philosophy?

RICH: To give a proper interpretation of the unique characteristics of the vineyard fruit. I do this by minimizing the use of oak

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

RICH: Davis Bynum and his minimalist approach to winemaking. The wine must stand on its own merits. The less that is done during the process, the more the wine will express itself

RED: Excellent! We just featured a Bynum Pinot Noir earlier this week. Our Operatives went crazy for it. How long have you been making wine?

RICH: Started at home in 1965

RED: Who do you make wine for?

RICH: My family and close friends

RED: Tell me, what makes the [REGION] so special?

RICH: We have cool mornings with fog that burns off and ushers in warm sunlit afternoons

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

RICH: Your passion for wine must be all-consuming 24/7. Wine must be a pleasure to make, not a job

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

RICH: Getting the equipment ready for this harvest; barrels, tanks, crews and strict monitoring of fruit in vineyard

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

RICH: 1470 Is when my family first settled in the winegrowing region of northern italy and planted vines. This wine we have today is a blend of our european tradition and california style. It is fruit-forward with minimal oak

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

RICH: This is a very versatile wine that can accompany a wide range of foods from cheeses to seafood. Many people enjoy this wine slightly chilled, by itself, with good friends

RED: Please share one thing about yourself that few people know

RICH: I am an accordion player

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

RICH: I constantly search out different california wines. The only wines that i drink consistently are foppoli wines because i know the purity and love that is in them.

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

RICH: For personal pure enjoyment. Wine is a natural occurring substance. Drink what you like, not what some snob likes.

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

RICH: 1961 Asti Barbera

RED: What is the one question that I should have asked you, and what is your answer to that question?

RICH: Q: How can a person make a million dollars in the winegrape/wine business? A: Start with 10 million!

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!

RICH: Please visit us at the family vineyard in the russian river valley for a vineyard tour and tasting, complimentary to certified agents and their guests.