2006 Clos du Bois Sonoma Reserve Cabernet Franc
Mission Codename: Vive le Roi
Operative: Agent Red
Objective: Infiltrate Clos du Bois and secure a winery-only exclusive wine for our Operatives around the world
Mission Status: Accomplished!
Current Winery: Clos du Bois
Wine Subject: 2006 Sonoma Reserve Alexander Valley Cabernet Franc
Winemaker: Erik Olsen
Backgrounder: Cabernet Franc is one of Agent Red’s favorite red varietals. Perhaps this is because its flavors are often rich, layered, complex and elegant. Or, perhaps he loves Cabernet Franc so much because it pairs so exceptionally well with so many different foods. Agent Red recently returned to Clos du Bois winery, where his mole there has been providing a trickle of winery-exclusive, limited-production wines that are unavailable to the general wine drinking populace. Read Red’s tasting notes and mission report below
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – Deep and gorgeous ruby red, the wine maintains deep concentration of color, right out to the very edge of the wine. There, a fine pink line shimmers in the light as the wine is swirled. On settling, skinny legs dash down the glass.
Smell – Blackfruit is the obvious leader on the nose, with vibrant blackberry, plum, and blueberry. These intermingle with dark, dried flower petals, and dark cherry. Underneath, soft and salty dried meats, subtle green chili pepper and hints of oak and Christmas spice peer out.
Feel – Tender and velvet smooth on entry. Then, gradually, the wine goes softly dry as integrated tannins easy their way inward from the edges of the palate.
Taste – In fun juxtaposition to the dark nose of the wine, the palate exudes redness, with raspberry, young strawberry, dried red rose petals and dark cherry. Also present are soft brown spices, dark chocolate and a hint of freshly cracked black pepper
Finish – Long and flavorful, with red fruit and a minerality that comes from the subtle black pepper flavor
Conclusion – We are proud to be able to reach into the private reserves of our featured wineries. Today’s Reserve Cabernet Franc is a fantastic wine that isn’t available in stores – just right here, today only! As many of our Operatives know, Cab Franc is my favorite single-varietal red. To me, great Franc shows the best balance, flavor and meal-friendliness. Today’s wine is quite compelling, with its black nose and red palate in balanced opposition to one another. Overall, the wine is balanced, delicious and fun to drink. Enjoy it on its own, or with almost anything. I found a fresh pesto lasagna to be a great fit.
Mission Report:
WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER
SUBJECT: Erik Olsen
DATE OF BIRTH: June 1965
PLACE OF BIRTH: San Francisco, California
WINE EDUCATION: BS Fermentation Science from UC Davis; MS Food Science from Cornell University; MBA from University of Washington
CALIFORNIA WINE JOB BRIEF: 2003 – present : Clos du Bois ; 1993-2003 : Chateau Ste. Michelle; 1990 – 1993: Simi
WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: My philosophy is to create wines that not only represent the best each varietal has to offer, but also the best representation of the place where the grapes come from. I believe in producing delicious wines that are approachable, elegant and always invite a second glass, or a second bottle.
SIGNATURE VARIETALS: Chardonnay and Cabernet
CAREER HIGHLIGHT: 2005 Calcaire Chardonnay winning the Sonoma Harvest Fair Grand Sweepstakes. It the academy awards of wine for us in Sonoma County.
CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Number One-ranked white wine on the 2001 Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of the Year for the 1999 Chateau Ste. Michelle Cold Creek Vineyard Chardonnay (93 points).
WINEMAKER QUOTE: “I like the creativity and seasonality of wine,” Erik says. “I enjoy a challenge and the fact that every year is different. It’s also inspiring to work with passionate people who come together, always trying to make something better.”
“I pinch myself everyday as I drive to work, because not only is Sonoma County an unbelievably beautiful place, the vineyards here provide everything you could ever want to make distinctive and delicious wines”.
WINEMAKER INTERVIEW
AGENT RED: Greetings, Erik. We are thrilled to be showing your 06 Sonoma Reserve Alexander Valley Old Vine Zinfandel today. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.
ERIK OLSEN: Of course!
RED: Was there a specific experience in your life that inspired your love of wine?
ERIK: I was only 18, but I landed a crush job back at a very small Zinfandel producer in the Foothills of Amador County. I did a lot of backbreaking work dumping grapes, running the press, and digging out fermentors. It was very satisfying to work hard and contribute to the creation of a beautiful wine. Winemaking still seems like magic to me.
RED: And where did you learn the most about winemaking?
ERIK: Every part of my background has been important in developing how I approach winemaking. UC Davis was the foundation, but I always looked to work at wineries where I could learn and those that focused on always striving for higher quality.
RED: What is your winemaking style or philosophy?
ERIK: My philosophy is to create wines that not only represent the best each varietal has to offer, but also the best representation of the place where the grapes come from. I believe in producing delicious wines that are approachable, elegant and always invite a second glass, or a second bottle.
RED: What wine or winemaker has most influenced your winemaking style?
ERIK: I’ve always believed my winemaking style is influenced in some way by every wine I’ve ever tasted. My collective wine tasting experience is what I look to in approaching a new wine. There have been some notable winemakers who taught me a lot about style and quality and had a major influence on my winemaking.
Ernie Loosen (Dr. Loosen- Germany) was very influential in my approach to making Riesling as together we create the Eroica Riesling program in Washington.
Mike Januik who I worked for at Chateau Ste. Michelle in making flavorful, soft, and approachable red wines.
Zelma Long (Simi) for a quality approach in making barrel-fermented Chardonnay.
RED: How long have you been making wine?
ERIK: I have made wine nearly every year since 1983.
RED: Who do you make wine for?
ERIK: I make wine for people looking for a great bottle of wine that consistently delivers exceptional value. I’m thrilled to make one of the most popular Chardonnays in the country, as well as very small lots that show off some of the little niche varietals and vineyards we have at Clos du Bois. Of course, I love all my wines and drink them at home often, so I also make wines for myself.
RED: Tell me, what makes the Alexander Valley so special?
ERIK: This region has the rare combination of climate and soil type that is ideal for flavor development of wine grapes. The cool evenings and warm days that are characteristic of Alexander Valley, preserve the freshness and acidity of the grapes, but also allow for ideal ripening and flavors development. The soil types found throughout the valley provide the nutrients, and water-holding capacity that allow wine grapes to thrive. With these perfect conditions, the dedicated and quality-focused growers of this area produce wine grapes that are truly exceptional in quality.
RED: What is one piece of advice that you would give to someone that is considering a career as a winemaker?
ERIK: There is no one best path to becoming a successful winemaker.
RED: What is occupying your time at the winery these days?
ERIK: We have been working on trial blends of our 2008 red reserve wines including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo, Petite Sirah, Malbec, and Carignane.
RED: Please tell me a little bit about the wine we are featuring today
ERIK: The 2006 Cabernet Franc has a deep dark color, aromas of ripe blackberry, bright Bing cherry, and hints of leafiness and spicy oak. The wine is richer and more concentrated then a typical Cabernet Franc. The wine is full bodied with a velvety texture, flavors of black cherry, dark chocolate, and roasted espresso.
RED: What is your favorite pairing with today’s wine?
ERIK: Grilled Tri Tip and scalloped potatoes
RED: Please share one thing about yourself that few people know
ERIK: I’m a first-generation American.
RED: What is your favorite ‘everyday’ or table wine?
ERIK: There’s always a Clos du Bois North Coast Chardonnay in my fridge.
RED: How would you recommend that people approach your wines, or wine in general?
ERIK: Be comfortable with what you like. Don’t get hung up on what others think about a wine you enjoy. If you like it, then it’s a good wine. Most importantly, experiment with wines. Our Chardonnay and Cabernet are both very popular, but we have a whole host of other varietals ranging from Pinot Grigio and Riesling to Zinfandel and Shiraz. Trying something new might just introduce you to a new favorite wine.
RED: If you could choose any one wine to drink (regardless of price or availability), what would it be?
ERIK: Trimbach -Clos Sainte Hune Riesling from Alsace.
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!
ERIK: Thank you for featuring this wine. We’re proud of it and hope you enjoy it.
Wine Spies Vineyard Check:
The location of the Clos du Bois winery can be seen in this satellite photo.
