2009 Christian Belleville ‘La Perche’ Rully AOC White Burgundy

Mission Codename: Perched Above The Rest

Operative: Agent White

Objective: Visit the Côte Chalonnaise commune of Rully and retrieve a delicious White Burgundy.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Domaine Christian Belleville

Wine Subject: 2009 ‘La Perche’ Rully AOC White Burgundy

Backgrounder: The village commune of Rully, the northernmost appellation in the Côte Chalonnaise. It is one of the best regions for delicious Chardonnay in the area and has an excellent reputation for flavorful and serious wines. The AOC was formally designated in 1939 and there are 23 Premier Crus but not one Grand Cru in the appellation.

The region is well known for its unique soil composition of white limey marl and calcic limestone, Jurassic gravel and rock and red clay. Also the vines grown in Rully are grown at an elevation of from 750 to 1100 feet above mean sea level.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – A beautiful pale straw yellow with the most subtle greenish tint though its brilliant core when tilted into the light. Pale to clear along the edges and when swirled clusters of fat legs cling to the side of the glass as the wine quickly settles.

Smell – Medium in intensity with bright aromas of both citrus and green tree and a touch of tropical fruit. Balanced notes of spice, vanilla toast and biscuit also linger just underneath the fruit.

Feel – This medium-to-full bodied dry white is very smooth and expansive with a very elegant and restrained creamy mouth feel. The acidity and minerality are in perfect balance with its softer alcohol component.

Taste – Tart citrus including grapefruit and orange with a lovely spice and toast component. Soft minerality, vanilla toast and soft creamy nuts linger with a touch of orange blossoms and its corresponding honey.

Finish – Extremely clean, long and fresh with lingering citrus fruit gently fading away leaving behind soft notes of its toasted biscuit, vanilla, spice and minerality that linger on the palate, softly drying the mouth and inviting another sip.

Conclusion – The 2009 Domaine Christian Belleville ‘La Perche’ Rully AOC White Burgundy is a wine of great finesse and elegance. Wonderfully balanced in every aspect with both fresh and creamy notes on the nose and palate. An exceptional wine to pair with food, especially aged cheeses. Drink now or for up to three to five years.

Mission Report:

Agent White has been reported as A.W.O.L. and it is believed he is stocking the wine cellar and hoarding bison steaks for the impending Apocalypse.

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the the Rully commune south of Beaune and northwest of Chalon-sur-Saone can be seen in this satellite photo.

2008 Tierra Caliente Cellars Napa Valley Zinfandel

Mission Codename: Firm Roots

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Respond to reports that winemaker, Leonardo Martinez, who makes wine for a Wine Spies favorite winery, has created his own label. Sample his wines and, if they live up to our high standards, secure an allotment for our Operatives.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Tierra Caliente

Wine Subject: 2008 Napa Valley Zinfandel

Winemaker:

Backgrounder: Zinfandel is related to the Italian Primitivo grape, tracing its origin to the Croatian grape Crljenak Kastelanski. Zinfandel is one of the most versatile varietals with the ability to make wines, both rich to fruity, dark to light, and dry to sweet. Napa Valley Zinfandels, specifically old vine Zin, are characterized by their big, extracted flavors, are among the most popular with our Operatives.

Leonardo Martinez has worked as assistant winemaker for Benessere Vineyards, a wine well loved by our Operatives. Today we are proud to bring you a wine that was produced at Benessere, under Leo’s own label.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Darkest garnet, with a dark and foreboding core. Color is concentrated from center to edge, where a fine ring of ruby traces a circle around the wine. Skinny, wine-stained legs move slowly down the glass after swirling.

Smell – Dark cherry candy, blueberry pastry, blackberry bramble, dusty dried cherry, cocoa dust and raspberry sit atop roasted coffee bean, subtle baking spice, soft oak and freshly fallen fall leaves.

Feel – Smooth and light across the front-palate, the wine then becomes gently grippy and mouth-filling. After a moment, a plush dryness spreads slowly around the palate. A plush, flinty mineral rich feel is supported by structured medium tannins and balanced acidity.

Taste – Dark and flavorful, leading with earthen blackberry, darkest black cherry juice, black plum and soft spice. Layered beneath these are India black tea, cocoa, coffee grounds, soft oak and hints of fresh spice and pepper.

Finish – Long and lingering, with dark fruit slowly giving way to the earthen flavors and soft spice. After the flavors tail off, flint and spice take longer to disappear.

Conclusion – Youthful and delicious, this approachable wine is long on dark fruit flavors – balanced against a complex earthen character. Crafted by Leonardo Martinez, the dedicated and talented young winemaker that we came to know through our friendship with Benessere Vineyards (where Leo is assistant winemaker), has done a great job with this Napa Valley Zinfandel. With an emphasis on expressive fruit and a lingering finish, Leo’s years of experience with Napa Zin shines through with this release. Decant for optimal results, and pair with your favorite hearty meal! This is a wine built to be paired with a great meal.

Mission Report:

WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER

SUBJECT: Leonardo Martinez

WINE EDUCATION: My formal training was at Napa Valley Community College and UC Davis, but my real training has been developed over the past 18 years of working for and with some of the best winemakers in the valley like Heidi Barret, Mike Reynolds, Gerard Zanzonico, Alberto Antonini, Chris Dearden, Jack Stuart, and others.

CALIFORNIA WINE JOB BRIEF: I am currently the Assistant Winemaker and Barrel Master at Benessere Vineyards in St. Helena, CA.

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: My wines are an expression of the remarkable fruit that is available in the Napa Valley, and a true reflection of my passion for food and wine.

WINEMAKER QUOTE: ”As a winery and cellar worker for many years, and now as a winemaker, it has been my dream to make wine that suits my own vision.A lush, deeply flavorful wine with depth, complexity, and a long, lingering finish. As you enjoy my wine, lift your glass to the men and women who toil to raise their families and to bring you wonderful wine, whatever label it wears.”

FIRST COMMERCIAL WINE RELEASE: My first vintage was 2002.

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WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

AGENT RED: Greetings, Leo. We are thrilled to be showing your 2008 Napa Valley Zinfandel today. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.

LEONARDO MARTINEZ: Thanks Red, I’m glad to have this opportunity to share my wine with your clients.

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

LEO: In 1993, I had the great pleasure of visiting the Napa Valley for the first time. While visiting, I stayed with the Ceja family and was exposed to fine wine for the first time. I still remeber the Pinot Noir that Pablo Ceja opened as we enjoyed an al fresco dinner. Remarkable!.

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

LEO: I’ve been lucky to work with many substantial names, but I think I would say that Heidi Barret has most influenced my technique and style. Her attention to detail from the grapes, to the barrel, to the blend is amazing.

RED: Who do you make wine for?

LEO: I created Tierra Caliente so that I could use my education and experience to express my own vision of a food friendly, varietally authentic, hand crafted product.

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

LEO: Tierra Caliente Zinfandel presents an exceptional interplay of luscious dark and red fruits, earthy spice notes, with a nose of chocolate, cinamon, and vanilla. It is rich and dark, with a smooth finish.

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

LEO: I serve it with grilled pork, Mediterranean style dishes, grilled beef or chicken. Fire up the barbeque and throw down some baby back ribs or a nice tri-tip roast!

RED: In your opinion, what makes St. Helena such a special place to grow Zinfandel?

LEO: St. Helena has a very Mediterranian climate, and some very unique soil types. The warm summer temperatures were the inspiration for the brand Tierra Caliente, which means “Hot Soil” in Spanish.

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

LEO: Tasting, testing and maintaining the next vintage of Tierra Caliente.

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

LEO: Keep it simple. Try everything and drink what you like, not what people tell you that you should like.

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

LEO: Wine is meant to be consumed on special occasions…like a Tuesday night after work!

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 Benessere Vineyard, where today’s wine was born, can be seen in this satellite photo.

2008 Olivia Brion Heron Lake Vineyard Pinot Noir

Mission Codename: The Suffragette

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Send Agent Red back to Olivia Brion, the only winery currently producing wine in the Wild Horse Valley to procure the latest vintage of their stellar Pinot Noir, a wine that proved extremely popular with our Operatives, the last time we featured it. Grown high above the valley floor, the cool climate of this unique AVA is perfectly suited to Pinot Noir.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Olivia Brion

Wine Subject: 2008 Pinot Noir – Wild Horse Valley

Winemaker: David Mahafey

Backgrounder: The Wild Horse Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area whose borders overlap both Napa County and Solano County, California and is partially contained within the Napa Valley AVA. Despite the appellation’s southerly location, which results in more hours of sunshine than other locations in Napa Valley, the Wild Horse Valley enjoys a cool climate, approximating France’s Burgundy region. The Valley’s proximity to San Pablo Bay, which results in a cooler climate, makes the Wild Horse Valley attractive for the cultivation of grapes like Pinot Noir.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Deepest ruby, with a darker core of dark crimson. At the edge of the wine, a fine ring of vivid light pink encircles the wine. When the wine settles, after a good swirl, wine -stained tears begin high up on the glass. They begin slow and fat, and then go skinny as they glide their way to the surface of the wine.

Smell – Reminiscent of a French Burgundy on initial uncorking, as the wine opens up, it begins to express lush red fruit, beginning with dusky dark cherry, dark strawberry and smoked cranberry. These sit atop subtler rum cake, fresh morning forest, gentle clove, leather and cherry-sandalwood.

Feel – Plush up front, then voluptuous and round at the mid-palate. This medium-bodied wine has a bright acidity, which makes it an obvious companion for food. A moment after swallowing, a fine dryness gradually spreads from the edges of the palate, inward.

Taste – Earthen dark cherry mingles with tart cranberry, stewed mixed dark berries, soft clove, black tea leaf, autumn leaves, subtle darkly toasted oak and a hint of anise at the end.

Finish – Medium long, with red fruit yielding to the more earthen flavors of the wine. Soft spice and a hint minerals seem to increase as the fruit flavors diminish. Ultimately, a soft minerality and an easy dryness

Very long duration, with bright red fruits sustaining far longer than most other Napa Valley Pinot Noir. Brown spices encroach and eventually overtake the red fruit, ending in a mineral-rich black pepper spice that leaves the drinker craving another sip.

Conclusion – Once again, winemaker David Mahafey shows his considerable skill at making Pinot Noir. Of course, he begins with some of the most unique Napa Valley Pinot Noir grapes, grown in the Pinot-perfect Wild Horse Valley. This small sub-appellation of the Napa Valley benefits from an evening cooling that the rest of the valley does not enjoy. The terrain and coastal fog that rips across the valley makes this AVA a fantastic place to grow Pinot. This 2008 Olivia Brion Pinot Noir is another California Burgundian, that delivers plenty of character, without sacrificing the Cali fruit that has become so beloved. Pinot Noir is such a great varietal for showing off the concept of Terroir and the Terroir of the Wild Horse Valley is distinct – and certainly worthy of your attention in this wine. Of course, the wine itself is fantastic. It is bright, and it is bold, but it is also balanced and softly earthy. Enjoy this delicious wine, now, or cellar for up to seven years.

Mission Report:

WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER

SUBJECT: David Mahaffey

WINE EDUCATION: Taught wine production and wine study classes at Napa Valley College for ten years—I have a Masters degree in Education from Harvard

OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE WINE BIZ: Inventor and co-developer of an Ozone Sanitation system used by more than 800 wineries. Applied for and got Wild Horse Valley approved as AVA in 1987

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: Transparency in the winemaking so that the vineyard specific qualities always shine through. WINEMAKER QUOTE:”Great Pinot Noir is always aromatically forward – it should reach out and grab you by the nose. If you have to suck whitecaps to smell it, its not great pinot”

FIRST COMMERCIAL WINE RELEASE: First Vintage 1980, first commercial wine release 1985

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WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

AGENT RED: Greetings, David. We are thrilled to be showing your astounding 2008 Olivia Brion Pinot Noir today. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.

DAVID MAHAFFEY: It’s great to be back with you, Agent Red. As you know, I’m always happy to pontificate about wine in general – especially my wine in particular.

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

DAVID: Yes, harvest 1979, rain threatening, last day of picking at Green & Red vineyard, the last box of grapes were dumped into the stemmer, the heavens opened and Biblical rain started… Followed by one of the great feasts of my life.

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

DAVID: I’m lucky enough to have been able to drink some really great Burgundy. The one that comes to mind is, ‘95 Musigny from Comte de Vogue – extraordinary fragrance and femininity. I’m sure I’d recognize if I ever got to taste it again. (now, however, a second mortgage would be necessary to do that)

RED: Who do you make wine for?

DAVID: If I can make myself happy, everybody else is going to be thrilled. Most of the time winemaking is a skilled craft, like being a chef, however, once in a while, an intuitive leap from my standard protocol really works and it feels like art has happened. That makes me happy.

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

DAVID: The ‘08 Olivia pinot is really showing its “spice rack”. > All the pie spices – cinnamon, cardamom, clove, and allspice – are more forward each week. It also has a nice broad and rich mid palette and amazing long finish.. The beautiful younger sister of the justly famous ‘07 Olivia Brion pinot.

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

DAVID: I’ve just returned from an amazing white water trip in the Yukon and Alaska and I brought home Sockeye Salmon that I caught on a fly rod. Dark orange salmon perfectly grilled on pinot vine cuttings with dark red Olivia pinot full of rich aromatics and spice flavors is my idea of a perfect meal!

RED: In your opinion, what makes the vineyard so special?

DAVID: My winery has its own appellation, Wild Horse Valley. This AVA status was granted on three important factors – unique mineral rich soil type called the Trimmer series, its mountainous elevation, and the historic name of the valley. I have been growing grapes on this soil since 1980 and I can taste the minerals from the soil in both the pinot and chard!

The Wild Horse AVA was granted largely on a unique mineral rich volcanic soil called the trimmer series. The Pinot vineyard sits right on top of this soil. Add to that the 1200 foot elevation and a straight shot west to Bodega Bay. So you have all the factors for a great place to grow Pinot – shallow rocky soil, cool steady wind from the ocean and altitude for further cooling. Plus, I have been farming this spot of land for thirty years, so I’m off the flat part of the learning curve. Still lots to learn.. the difficult part about winegrowing is that you only get to bat once a year.

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

DAVID: We’ve just finished bottling the ‘09 pinot and chard, also lots of hand work in the vineyard doing cane positioning – really the first steps in the quality of the wine from the 2011 vintage!

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

DAVID: With reverence… OK, BULLSHIT! Wine is to make the pasta more interesting on Wednesday night! Serious answer—with curiosity, intent, and memory sensors set to 11.

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

DAVID: Please call and come taste my wines from the barrel and talk to me about wine.

RED: I have the feeling you’ll be seeing our Operatives, soon…. 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 approximate location of the vineyard where Olivia Brion was born can be seen in this satellite photo.

2010 Alpha Omega Napa Valley Rose Wine

Mission Codename: Pair with Sunshine

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: send Agent Red back to Alpha Omega Winery to secure an exclusive Alpha Omega Rosé for the summertime enjoyment of our exacting Operatives

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Alpha Omega

Wine Subject: 2010 Napa Valley Rosé

Winemaker: Jean Hoefliger and Michel Rolland

Backgrounder:

The Wine Spies are always on the hunt for the best wines that we can find. When it comes to Rosé , we are exceedingly difficult to please. Today’s wine comes to us from a Wine Spies favorite, Alpha Omega, whose delicious Rosé offers freshness and beautiful balance – making it an exciting summertime sipper.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Beautiful cherry jello colored, with evenly concentrated color, from core to the very edges of the glass. The wine shows perfectly clarity, with glinting edges that catch the light when you swirl the wine. On settling, skinny clusters of slow moving tears move slowly down the glass.

Smell – Bright and fragrant, with cherry candy, lychee, pink grapefruit and subtle nectarine in the lead. After the wine warms slightly, additional aromas emerge, including Wrigley’s watermelon-kiwi Juicy Fruit gum (pick up a pack and you’ll smell what I mean!), subtle slate and the unique smell of pink rock candy.

Feel – Lightweight and soft, the wine speeds across the entry. At the mid-palate, the wine becomes more full and round. After a moment, this something unique happens. A slight roundness appears at the roof of the mouth, adding an intriguing dimension to the wine. This effect is especially pronounced once the wine has had time to breath, and even warm up just slightly. A bright acidity and flinty minerality add complexity.

Taste – Young, sugar-sprinkled strawberry, light cherry, soft zest, subtle melon, with dried white rose petals and a hint of sour cherry hard candy.

Finish – Long, fresh and flavorful, with soft red fruit, flinty minerals, berry bramble and cherry candy at the tail end.

Conclusion – Each time I sample this Rosé – and I have had several occasions to do so, of late – I discover something new to love about it. This unique Rosé is made from, intriguingly, Bordeaux varietals. Specifically, the wine is comprised of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 9% Petit Verdot, making it the most complex-sounding Rosés we have featured here. This complexity adds character, to be sure, but this wine is also very approachable. Today’s AO Rosé is refreshing, delicious and just complex enough to make it interesting – without that complexity becoming distracting. We recommend that you pair this wine with hard cheeses, fruit and, of course, plenty of sunshine!

Mission Report:

WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER

SUBJECT: Jean Hoefliger

WINE EDUCATION: Winemaking and viticulture degree at the Swiss federal school of Changins

CALIFORNIA WINE JOB BRIEF: Jean Hoefliger was born and raised in Switzerland. His initial experience took him from Switzerland to Bordeaux, and South Africa, making wine at the esteemed estates of Chateau Lynch-Bages, Chateau Carbonnieux, and Meerlust. Completing a winemaking and viticulture degree at the Swiss federal school of Changins, Jean came to California where he spent five years as winemaker for Newton Vineyard before joining Alpha Omega. Jean’s passion, knowledge, innate ability and scientific training puts him in a unique position to take the best grapes of Napa Valley and transform them into wines worthy of world class standing.

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: Naturally Fermented, Unfined and Unfiltered Wines

WINEMAKER QUOTE: ”If an art creates an emotion, the artist has touched its public.”

FIRST COMMERCIAL WINE RELEASE: 7/1/2006

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WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

AGENT RED: Greetings, Jean. We are thrilled to be showing your wine, today. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.

JEAN HOEFLIGER: Thank you for choosing to work with Alpha Omega. We are excited to give the Wine Spies access to our wines, once again.

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

JEAN: Yes. When milk was replaced by wine in my bottle.

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

JEAN: Petrus 1982 because it is the pure expression of the greatness of Merlot and one of its most famous terroir that shows the perfect elegance but strength of this outstanding varietal.

RED: Who do you make wine for?

JEAN: First and foremost, myself because I do not think that you excel at anything that you do not believe in, but of course the consumer is a key factor of the equation.

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

JEAN: The priority of any winemaker is always the quality of the wine. Since I believe that 90% of wine is made in the vineyards and I am spending quite some time checking all of our vineyards to ensure the best practices.

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

JEAN: Think about wine as an art form that creates emotion. Good or bad, it is taste. When I taste a wine it tells me a story, transports my emotions and therefore, to me it is pure intimacy. This is an intimacy that is strictly personal and cannot be wrong.

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 Alpha Omega winery, in the Rutherford, in the Napa Valley, can be seen in this satellite photo.

2006 Olabisi Wines Suisun Valley Syrah

Mission Codename: Joy Multiplied

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Infiltrate Olabisi Wine Cellars, in the town of Napa, and procure their smash hit 2006 Syrah, a wine that has garnered wide attention as a distinctive and delicious wine. Secure an ample allotment for our Syrah-loving Operatives.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Olabisi Wine Cellars

Wine Subject: 2006 Suisun Valley Syrah, King Vineyard

Winemaker: Scott Harvey

Backgrounder: Our Operatives love a great Syrah, and they snap them up in record numbers, bucking the industry trends which suggest that Syrah sales are slightly declining. Our Operatives has proven that they are ahead of the curve in so many ways, especially when it comes to purchasing a great wine. Today, Agent Red visits with Olabisi, whose 2006 King Vineyard Syrah is a delicious and sassy interpretation of the noble varietal.

Varietal Backgrounder: The popularity of Syrah is undeniable. Big and bold in flavor and texture, it packs a concentrated punch of flavor that many people love. This Rhone varietal, although many believe that the grape originated in the Persia region, is 100% French in lineage. The Syrah grape is directly descendant from the Monduese Blanche and Dureza varietals and is grown worldwide with great success. Today’s delightful Syrah is a big and bold delight with richly dark flavors, deep aromatics and a plush mouth feel. Read Agent Red’s tasting notes and mission report below

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Intriguing and elusive, it was difficult to peg the exact color of this wine! Gazed upon straight on, the wine shows as almost black, but with a glinting ring of bright ruby encircling the surface. Spin the wine and it shows dark crimson hues. Held up to the light, the wine takes on a candy apple appearance. When the wine settles, dark, wine-stained tears move very slowly downward.

Smell – Lush and bold this deeply fragrant wine leads with dark cherry, blackberry and a Bing cherry reduction. These mingle with rich dried meats, dried dark leaves, dark chocolate, briney black olives and, finally, a dark herbal component that is detected at the very back of the nose.

Feel – Soft and round at the entry, this wine becomes quickly grippy as plush tannins dig in at the mid-palate, spreading a mineral-rich dryness as it moves outward to the lips and cheeks.

Taste – Dark fruit and earthen flavors in beautiful balance. The wine delivers bold blackberry, black plum, black cherry, smoky Bing cherry, earthy dark minerals and cognac soaked raisins. These are followed by more subtle flavors of cocoa dust, European salt licorice and a hint of blanched mixed holiday nuts.

Finish – Ultra ultra (yes, two ultras!) long, with black fruit that seems to last forever. Eventually, dark fruit yields to earthy minerals and dusty earth.

Conclusion – Holy Syrah! This is one bold, delicious, big, fantastic wine that all of us here at Wine Spies HQ recommend wholeheartedly. Not as spicy as its Napa or Sonoma brethren, this wine from the Suisun Valley delivers all of the flavor of its counterparts – and then some. Beautifully balanced, with dark fruit dancing with earthen characteristics in even proportion, this wine had us sniffing and sipping for a very long time. We found that it improved with decanting, so be sure to give this wine at least thirty minutes to breath. Pair with a wide array of bold foods – or a giant grilled steak!

Mission Report:

WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER

SUBJECT: Ted Osborne

WINE EDUCATION: BA in English Lit…And then on-the-job training in Napa and around the world

CALIFORNIA WINE JOB BRIEF: Cellar Rat at Cakebread, Associate Winemaker at Storybook Mountain, Winemaker at Piña, Winemaker for Phifer Pavitt Winery, and Winemaker for Blue Hall Vineyard

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: Find an outstanding vineyard with unique and untapped potential. Pick at perfect ripeness. Ferment on wild yeast, wild malolactic. Barrel down and try to leave it to its own devices at every opportunity.

WINEMAKER QUOTE: ”The only things that matter are flavor and aroma. All else is speculation and blindness.”

FIRST COMMERCIAL WINE RELEASE: 2000 Olabisi Cabernet Sauvignon, (Rutherford November, 2002)

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WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

AGENT RED: Greetings, Ted. We are thrilled to be showing your 2006 Syrah today. This is one fantastic wine! Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.

TED OSBORNE: Glad you love it, Agent Red!

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

TED: Growing up Irish Catholic. Beyond that, there was one night when my uncle brought over a bottle of ’69 Haut Brion for the family dinner. I was 18, we were eating barbecue tri-tip and drinking this beautiful wine. Everyone at the table was apportioned less than half a glass and I savored it. We all did.

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

TED: Wines from the Rhone region of France, and Ehren Jordan

RED: Who do you make wine for?

TED: I make my wines for the expression of the vineyard and for the people who want to experience what that is.

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

TED: This wine is about a dry-farmed vineyard grown by Roger King. It’s about the trusting working relationship Roger and I have developed over the years. To pick at perfect ripeness requires the commitment and advocacy of the grower. This wine could not have been made without that. For style, what’s interesting about this particular wine is that I’m pretty sure you can taste influences from most of the regions where I’ve made wine—Australia, Napa, and France.

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

TED: Hamburger, wild mushroom pasta, spicy ethnic foods, and any grilled meats, from chicken to pork to lamb.

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

TED: Growers like Roger King who use more art than science, more passion than business acumen, and who live with their vines, experiencing each day alongside their beloved vineyards.

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

TED: I spend an inordinate amount of time obsessing over not interfering with the wines in the barrel. It’s surprising how much effort it takes to leave things be.

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

TED: My ultimate customer is one who eventually trusts me to bring them creative and rewarding wines vintage after vintage. Trust is required because my goal is not to make the same wine I made last year. My goal is to make the best wine for a particular vineyard in a particular vintage. To succeed at that, one must let the vineyard take the lead and craft the wine around flavor of the fruit on the day it was picked.
Oh, and give at least a couple bottle some cellar time. These wines are made for now as well as the long haul.

Oh, and then make sure to enjoy the evolution of the wine in the glass. The complexity is best experienced over time.

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

TED: Please drop by our tasting room for a visit the next time you’re in Napa. We’d love to meet you and share a glass or two of wine.

RED: I’ll be sure to pop in, again. I really enjoy my time in your tasting room! 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 King Vineyard can be seen in this satellite photo.

2008 Mounts Family Winery Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Franc

Mission Codename: Speaking Franc

Operative: Agent White

Objective: Return to Mounts Family Vineyards and secure an allocation of their delicious Cabernet Franc.

Mission Status: Accomplished

Current Winery: Mounts Family Vineyards

Wine Subject: 2008 Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Franc

Winemaker: David Mounts

Backgrounder:

The Mounts family grows a variety of grapes on their hillside estate in Sonoma County’s beautiful Dry Creek Valley. The Dry Creek Valley across the Russian River from Alexander Valley has a generally cooler and wetter climate which makes the growing season longer and more flexible than neighboring appellations. This is an area best known for producing rather incredible Petite Sirah, Syrah, Zinfandel as in today’s wine Cabernet Franc.

Cabernet Franc is one of our operative’s favorite red varietals. Perhaps this is because its flavors are often rich, layered, complex and elegant. Or, perhaps we love Cabernet Franc so much because it pairs so exceptionally with many different foods. One of the most notable things about Cabernet Franc is the fact that finding excellent examples can be very difficult.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Beautifully dark purple with garnet with a dense but clear core. At the meniscus, the color lightens just slightly and when swirled this wine leaves evenly spaced color stained legs on the side of the glass.

Smell – A classic and aromatic Franc nose of ripe red fruit including cherry raspberry and plum that blends with savory notes, spicy pepper, cigar tobacco, present but not overpowering spiced and vanilla toasted oak and subtle floral qualities.

Feel – Very smooth and dry, this full-bodied wine was well developed and structured tannins, balanced acidity and textured minerals that frames this generous wine long into the finish.

Taste – A wide array of tart to ripe red cherry flavors ranging from wild ripe cherry fading to candied cherry and then cherry liquor along with other red fruit. Added complexity of spicy pepper, soft green herbal and savory notes, dark minerality that blend with the spiced and toasted vanilla oak found on the nose.

Finish – Extremely long with this expansive red fruit clinging to the palate while the other complex flavors fade until you’re left with only a hint of fruit framed by a well structured tannins and minerality that make the mouth water for another sip.

Conclusion – The 2008 Mounts Family Vineyards Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Franc is a fantastic wine that shows great varietal character and a very food friendly structure. Its luscious fruit that is framed by its tannins, minerality and acidity makes this idea for a wide range of foods. Enjoy this wine now after letting it open up or decanting or cellar for up to five years.

Mission Report:

Busy with bottling, David Mounts was unable to sit down with us for an interview for today’s wine. Be sure to tune in the next time we feature another fantastic Mount’s Family wine.

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the Mounts Family Vineyard can be seen in this satellite photo.

2009 Red Car Wine Boxcar Pinot Noir

Mission Codename: Tickets, please!

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Infiltrate Red Car Winery, in Sonoma County’s Pinot-perfect Sonoma Coast appellation. Sample their Pinot Noir and secure an allocation if the wine meets our highest quality standards.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Red Car Winery

Wine Subject: 2009 Boxcar Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Winemaker: Carroll Kemp

Backgrounder: For the last decade, Carroll Kemp and his accomplished team have been making California wines of remarkable distinction. Perhaps best known for their stunning Syrah, it is their Pinot Noir that caught our eye – and palate. Today’s wine delivers a wonder drinking experience, at a fantastic price. Today, we are proud to bring you Carroll’s wonderful 2009 Boxcar Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir.

The Sonoma Coast AVA, established in 1987, is the area directly adjacent to the Pacific coastline of Sonoma County. The ocean’s influence causing a cooler, higher rainfall and foggy climate most influences the vineyards of this region, many of which have exceptional views of the mighty Pacific. These factors cause grapes to mature and ripen more slowly which is idea for Pinot Noir. The region is approximately 750 square miles with about 7,000 acres under vine.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Light ruby hues are the prevailing color. The wine has a slightly darker core and color remains concentrated, right out to its soft pink edges. When swirled, tightly spaced legs form high up on the glass, taking a very long time to reach the wine, below.

Smell – Rich and aromatic with earthy aromas and red fruit jumping from the glass. Spiced red fruit includes red cherry, dark raspberry, young strawberry. Earthy sweet tobacco, black tea and toasty oak mingle with a soft minerality and subtle black pepper.

Feel – Cool and light across the front-palate, this wine then gradually takes on a plush medium-bodied feel, with pronounced crushed velvet at the mid. Well structured, lively and complex with bright acids and fine to medium tannins. Light minerals appear as a soft dryness spreads from the mid-palate, outward.

Taste – Dark cherry and young strawberry and the primary fruit notes – at first. These mingle with earthy mushroom, dried fall leaves, black tea leaf and a hint of dried violet. As the wine opens up, subtle truffle, kola nut, a hint of black pepper and soft minerals add softness, depth and complexity.

Finish – Long and clean with ripe red fruit slowly yielding to the earthen flavors. At the very end, subtle minerals and black pepper linger as the palate slowly dries.

Conclusion – The 2009 Boxcar Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir from our new friends at Red Car Winery is a fantastic Pinot Noir that delivers a big, delicious drinking experience – at a really great value. While I was visiting with the winery, we got into a discussion of Terroir, or that sense of place that is expressed through a wine. Viticulturist, Paul Sequeira, concludes that Pinot Noir, more than any other varietal, expresses terrior. I could not agree more. Today’s wine comes from select vineyard sources around the Sonoma Coast, including the winery’s own estate vineyard. With a bountiful nose, a plush feel and a complex palate, this is a wonderful wine to enjoy all on its own, but we also recommend that you pair it – with almost anything. This is certainly a very food-friendly wine. Enjoy now or age for the next five years.

Mission Report:

WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER

SUBJECT: Carroll Kemp

WINE EDUCATION: On the job training

CALIFORNIA WINE JOB BRIEF: I started Red Car in 2000. This is my only job in the wine business. Previously, I was a film producer.

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: Red Car combines modern viticulture with traditional winemaking to craft balanced, food friendly wines.

WINEMAKER QUOTE: ”Our aim is to faithfully give voice to the West Sonoma Coast’s cool-climate personality by producing wines that express fruit and terroir with equal regard.”

FIRST COMMERCIAL WINE RELEASE: 2000 vintage

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WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

AGENT RED: Greetings, Carroll. We are thrilled to be showing your 2009 Box Car Pinot Noir today. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.

CARROLL KEMP: We are thrilled as well.

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

CARROLL: In my previous career as a film producer I had the opportunity to visit France several times with Johnny Depp. We enjoyed many bottles of old burgundy together with friends overlooking the Mediterranean at the Hotel du Cap. I had never tasted wines of this quality before so I set out to learn as much about them as possible. This journey eventually inspired me to become a winemaker.

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

CARROLL: Henri Jayer. [ed. Note: French winemaster, Henri Jayer, was the most renowned Burgundy maker of his generation]

RED: Who do you make wine for?

CARROLL: Myself.

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

CARROLL: The 2009 Boxcar Pinot Noir is an elegant wine the pairs well with food and should age gracefully. Like most good Pinot Noir, it is built around its acid, not its tannins so it offers great purity and minerality.

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

CARROLL: Roast Chicken.

RED: In your opinion, what makes the Sonoma Coast so special?

CARROLL: The West Sonoma Coast is our home and our passion. Climate is the single most influential factor in determining the potential quality of fruit and the West Sonoma Coast climate is ideal: cool and temperate with a long, dry growing season that allows grapes to develop intense flavor without high sugar. This is cool-climate viticulture— literally on the edge—where grapes struggle to ripen on the margin of viability.

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

CARROLL: Bottling!

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

CARROLL: In the company of friends at the dinner table

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

CARROLL: I hope you enjoy drinking this wine as much as I enjoyed making it.

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 Winery Check:

The location of the tasting room, where Red Car’s incredible wines can be found, can be seen in this satellite photo.

2009 Cascina Bruciata ‘Rian’ Dolcetto d’Alba DOC

Mission Codename: Quiet and Remote

Operative: Agent White

Objective: Secure an exceptional and exclusive Barolo for our operatives.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Cascina Bruciata

Wine Subject: 2009 ‘Rian’ Dolcetto d’Alba DOC

Winemaker: Francesco Baravalle

Backgrounder:

Dolcetto, or literally translated as the ‘little sweet one’ is one of the primary grapes of Italy’s Piedmont. The best Dolcetto is grown in and around the Alba region. The grape has a thinner skin than its local neighbors resulting in its lighter flavors and brighter acidity making this wine perfect for lunch meals or as a starter wine for a traditional Italian meal. Dolcetto is often made as a single varietal wine and the best of Dolcetto is from designated single vineyards.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Beautifully bright ruby red with a deep ruby core. Along the edges and when held to the light, this wine’s bright ruby hues glisten and when swirled, evenly spaced lightly colored legs ring the glass.

Smell – Bright youthful aromas of spiced red plum, Italian cherry and other fresh red and black berry fruit are layered over notes of fresh anise, black tea along with hints of hot spice and perfumed floral notes.

Feel – This medium-bodied dry wine is smooth but youthfully textured with vibrant acidity and finely grained green tannins. Its mouth-coating minerality and acidity is lively upon opening and soften as this wine opens.

Taste – Fresh and tart red plum, wild blackberry and Italian cherry blend with hot spice and fresh anise. Just underneath are zesty tar and black tea components that meld with this wine’s vibrant acid and textured minerality.

Finish – Extremely long with the fresh and tart fruit fading as this wine’s textured mouthfeel lasts and lasts and begs for another sip.

Conclusion – The 2009 Cascina Bruciata ‘Rian’ Dolcetto d’Alba DOC is a delicious and youthful wine that shows plenty of old world’ character, pure varietal aromas and flavors, and a mouthfeel that makes this a fantastic food wine. Enjoy this wine with all your summer grilling or with a simple _ragù alla bolognese. Drink this wine now and over the next several years.

Mission Report:

WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER

SUBJECT: Francesco Baravalle

WINE EDUCATION: Winemaking and Viticulture degree from University of Turin (2001) Sommelier degree (2008), I worked for 4 years at Barboursville Winery in Virginia as associate winemaker.

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: Use the technologies in the cellar to preserve the quality of the grapes and enhance the expression of the territory.

WINEMAKER QUOTE: Wine is devotion to land and people’s culture

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WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

AGENT WHITE: Greetings, Francesco, We are thrilled to be showing your 2009 Cascina Bruciata ‘Rian’ Dolcetto d’Alba DOC. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.

FRANCESCO: Greetings to you Agent White! It is a great pleasure for me to talk to you about our wines.

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

FRANCESCO: I maybe didn’t realize it at the time, but I believe that it was when I was a kid, watching my grandfather bring home grapes and be so excited to crush them and to start the fermentation. Furthermore his pride when putting his own bottle on the table to share with friends saying: “Guys, I made this, enjoy it!”

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

FRANCESCO: I think more than a specific wine or winemaker, undoubtedly, Burgundy is a very inspiriting territory where both the people and the authenticity of the wine have influenced me.

WHITE: Who do you make wine for?

FRANCESCO: I make wine primarily for consumers who want to know more about our people and our land through our wines.

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

FRANCESCO: This wine belongs to a 35 years old vineyard exposed to the west, we call it the Rian vineyards cause this name in the Piedmontese language means very quite and remote, in fact when I work in there I feel totally isolated from the rest of the “noisy” world and I can appreciate the sound of the nature only.

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

FRANCESCO: Dolcetto Rian 2009 is a perfect daily wine, it is very versatile so you can pair it with different kind of salads and soup but, probably due to the season, the perfect pair would be with grilled meat or chicken or burgers.

WHITE: In your opinion, what makes the Barolo & Piedmont so special?

FRANCESCO: The great diversity of Terroirs that are capable of making authentic wines with different personalities. Furthermore the Nebbiolo grown in Barolo, Barbaresco and Roero produces unique wines.

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

FRANCESCO: In these days I’m spending most of my time in the vineyard, we are a couple months away from harvest so this is definitively the main focus.

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

FRANCESCO: To really understand an artisanal wine it is important to taste it without any sort of preconception and try to learn about the people and the culture behind the label, in order to have the right opinion about it.

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

WINEMAKER: An artisanal wine had its own personality, identity and expressivity, we need to respect and appreciate it as a great value to protect.

WHITE: 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!

FRANCESCO: Thank you and to The Wine Spies for your attention to our land and wines!, for me it is always an honor to have a chance to interact with all of you! Arrivederci a presto!

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The approximate location of the Cascina Bruciata and its vineyards can be seen in this satellite photo.

2009 Raised By Wolves Cabernet Sauvignon

Mission Codename: Hungry like the Wolf

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Send Agent Red to the Columbia Valley, in Washington state, in search of a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon for our Operatives

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Elevage Wine Co.

Wine Subject: 2009 Raised By Wolves Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker: Bill Davis

Backgrounder:

The Columbia Valley is the largest appellation in Washington state and completely contains both the Yakima (as well as the city of Yakima) and Walla Walla Valleys. Located inland on a plateau of undulating hills and valleys and given is dry climate (nearly 300 days of sunshine per year) and northern longitude has nearly two hours more sun per day during the summer than Napa Valley. The region is known for growing excellent Chardonnay, Merlot and, as in today’s wine, Cabernet Sauvignon.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Stunningly dark and , with a distinct crimson color, from its edges through to its darkening heart. When swirled, thick wine-stained tears ring the glass and descend very slowly to the surface below.

Smell – Luscious jammy berry pie aromas leap from the glass. These are followed by ripe and sweet blackberry, black cherry, and licorice root. Beneath these, soft hints of baking spices, burnt creme brulee and toasty oak.

Feel – Soft, plush and generous, this wine has a crushed velvet feel that, combined with well-developed tannins, give the wine a medium weight. Beginning at the mid-palate and spreading outward, soft minerality and tangy acidity dries the the entire palate.

Taste – Plenty of ripe dark jammy red and black fruit lead the way, while softer notes of baking spice, subtle anise – while slight hints of soft black pepper, chocolate mocha and soft toasted vanilla and oak follow.

Finish – Long and packed with flavor, this wine shows pronounced fruit that, at the mid-palate, lingers longer than other flavors. At the end hints of the other complex flavors fade as the plush tannins, acidity and soft minerality dries the palate in anticipation of another sip.

Conclusion – If you are a fan of big juicy fruit forward cabs, then the 2009 Elevage Wine Co. Raised By Wolves Cabernet Sauvignon is a wonderful choice. Great aromatic ripe jammy fruit leads you in, leading you to a soft, round and crushed velvet feel that surrounds the ripe fruit. Clean on the finish and very easy to drink, this is a great wine to serve at an early evening barbecue. Enjoy now or for the next three years.

Mission Report:

WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER

WINE EDUCATION: Self Taught, Roy Davis (My Dad) and Kevin Rogers (Timberrock Winery)

WASHINGTON WINE JOB BRIEF:

1996-2003 StoneRidge Vineyards, Viticulturist, Royal City WA

2003-2007 Frenchman Hills Vineyards, Viticulturist, Royal City WA

2008- Present Founder/Winemaker for Elevage Wine Company. Ellensburg, WA

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: Keep it simple, keep it clean and the wine will make itself.

WINEMAKER QUOTE: “Will we ever know Agent Red’s real name?”

FIRST COMMERCIAL WINE RELEASE: Peace, Love and Merlot, 7 Hills Merlot, Walla Walla Valley May 2010.

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WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

AGENT RED: Greetings, Bill. We are thrilled to be showing your 2009 Raised by Wolves Cabernet Sauvignon today. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.

BILL DAVIS: Thank you we are excited to commercially release our 2009 Cabernet with your operatives.

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

BILL: It really was my Dad and I didn’t get it when he was alive. His passion for viticulture and oenology totally consumed his life and it was his true passion. After his passing, I knew there was nothing else that I wanted to do but continue his legacy and the passion quickly followed. It’s sad but extremely rewarding that I can continue his legacy and create a brand, something he didn’t have the chance to do.

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

BILL: Kevin Rogers of Timberrock Winery in Post Falls Idaho. Kevin is veterinarian by trade but a phenomenal winemaker in his own right. He uses his scientific background to his advantage in the science of fermentation. Unfortunately his has decided to cut back production and just focus on his wine club.

RED: Who do you make wine for?

BILL: : I make wine for me and for what I think will represent our winery and Washington State. I have found there is fine line you must walk with each vintage and vineyard.

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

BILL: 2009 was interesting year in Walla Walla. Things started off 2-3 weeks behind and with a hotter than normal summer we picked up a good week and harvested earlier than normal. Because we harvested earlier in the season, fruit from Walla Walla in 2009, in my opinion, probably fared the best. The cold air from the Blue Mountains settle into the valley at night really help the acids balance late in the summer. The 2009 Raised by Wolves Cabernet, I like to call “Youthfully Disciplined.” Even though it is a young Cabernet it has the structure and balance to take on the big dogs. Huge notes of Cherry, wet stones and cigar are easily discernible with a nice balance of acid and touch of oak on the end. Everything I could expect from Walla Walla AVA.

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

BILL: Steak au poivre with a reduced cognac sauce and asparagus if I’m out on the town or if I’m in the winery just plain Lay’s potato chips.

RED: In your opinion, what makes the Walla Walla so special?

BILL: From River beds to soil that is over 100 ft. deep and everything in between is what makes the terrior in Walla Walla Special. We benefit from long days cool nights from the mountain effect makes Walla Walla a unique region in Washington State.

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

BILL: We just finished up bottling the 2009 Walla Walla Valley “Rebels of Vine” a meritage blend. Bottling a couple of pallets of Chardonnay and a little more Voodoo. Other than hitting the street selling we are pretty much finished until harvest.

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

BILL: Without a glass and just pass the bottle around. Have fun and try everything once great wines are coming from the West coast even Arizona! Don’t be pretentious when it comes to wine because you might miss a sleeper.

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

BILL: 2011 could be an interesting one. Stay tuned..

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 tasting room location of Elevage Wine Co.* can be seen in this satellite photo.

2010 Joseph Kent Wines Napa Valley White Wine

Mission Codename: Embrace it

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: In time for our Operatives’ summertime enjoyment, send Agent Red to investigate Joseph Vineyards, a Napa Valley winery whose charter is to create limited production wine of superior quality. Secure a high-value wine for our deserving Operattives.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Joseph Kent Wines

Wine Subject: 2010 Joie de Vivre Sauvignon Blanc

Winemaker: Kent Jarman

Backgrounder: Sauvignon Blanc originally hails from the Loire Valley in France, but has found new homes in other parts of France (Bordeaux, where it is blended with Sauternes); New Zealand, and specifically the Marlborough region as well as California. It is generally dry and crisp with flavors of apples, pears and tropical fruit and tends to have bright acidity that lends itself well to pairing with spicy foods.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Golden yellow, this wine sparkles when swirled. Color is evenly concentrated, from edge to core. After the wine settles, skinny legs start high up on the inside of the glass, before they run slowly down.

Smell – Beautifully fragrant, with a refreshing rush of white peach, orange blossom, green melon, and newly dried yellow straw. As the wine opens up, hints of green apple, vanilla and light lemon curd make a subtle appearance.

Feel – Soft and round across the front palate, this wine turns even more velvety across the mid-palate. As the wine passes the palate, completely, soft tannins add a hint of dryness at the mid-palate. This dryness, combined with the bright acidity of the wine, accentuate flavors and add complexity.

Taste – Bright and focused, with flavors of young peach, crisp citrus and sweet white flowers leading the way. These are soon followed by yellow apple, green apple, zest, soft minerals and just a hint of zesty spice, all of which show on the mid-palate. At the tail end, unique tropical notes of guava, and pineapple make a sweet appearance.

Finish – Long and very flavorful, the wine begins sweet and then goes slightly tart. As these initial flavors fade, a soft minerality eases in, leading the way to the brief appearance of sweet tropical fruits.

Conclusion – This is a very very special Sauvignon Blanc! Loaded with flavor, bursting with fragrant aromas and a sheer delight on the palate, this is a fantastic wine whose value far exceeds its price. Delicious, approachable and soft on the palate, this is a wine that renews our love for this varietal. You may have noticed that we feature very few Sauvignon Blancs on our pages. This is because we find most interpretations to be overly harsh, grassy or worse. Today’s 2010 Joseph Kent Joie de Vivre Sauvignon Blanc_ shines as a beautiful example of just how excellent the wine can be – in the right hands. Kudos to Kent Jarman and Mitch Boyd, who have teamed up to craft wines that are wonderful expressions of place and varietal. Their Sauv Blanc strikes an even balance between complexity and approachability. There is something here for everyone. Pair this brightly delicious treat with your favorite summertime delicacies.

Mission Report:

WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER

SUBJECT: Kent Jarman

WINE EDUCATION: UC Davis

CALIFORNIA WINE JOB BRIEF: Winemaker for Kenefick Ranch, Coup de Foudre, Associate Winemaker Somerston

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: Create wines that are extremely flexible for instance, early approachability and extensive aging, excellent food pairing or alone. Aromatics and finish tend to be most important to me

WINEMAKER QUOTE: ”Wine and music are symbiotic. Both take you on a journey and are extremely therapeutic to whatever the soul may need at a given time.”

FIRST COMMERCIAL WINE RELEASE: 2008 Joseph Kent “Joie de Vivre” Sauvignon Blanc – June 2009

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WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

AGENT RED: Greetings, Kent. We are thrilled to be showing your 2010 Kent Joseph Joie de Vivre Sauvignon Blanc today. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.

KENT JARMAN: Thanks for the opportunity!

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

KENT: Christmas dinner a long, long, time ago, and I walked by two bottles of Penfolds Bin 707 Cab Sauv my Dad had opened to let breathe. The aromatics were incredible and were coming at me from 10 ft away!

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

KENT: It’s really been a culmination of all of my experiences in my 10 years of winemaking. Started with Duckhorn, and then one of my best friend’s, Robbie Meyer, really taught me a lot about wine, vineyards, business, and life, in general.

RED: Who do you make wine for?

KENT: My business partner and I really like to style the wine to our liking without leaving the consumer out of the loop.

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

KENT: You’re drinking a Sauv Blanc that is grown on some of the nicest soils in Napa. Most of the fruit is sourced in Calistoga on Aiken soils, and has a small quantity of the Musque clone blended in. That helps with the tangerine oil nuances of the aromatics. The aging on lees and batonage process really aid with the creamy mouthfeel.

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

KENT: Raw Oysters!

RED: In your opinion, what makes the Napa Valley such a special place for Sauvignon Blan?

KENT: Our climate and soils really allow us to tailor make Sauvignon Blanc. There is no real “Napa” style to Sauv Blanc because we can get the tropical notes or go for the grassy notes, and pick and choose your acid profiles based on how you manage your canopies or when you pick your grapes. The flexibility is the key to Napa Sauvignon Blanc

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

KENT: Bottling! Ugh…

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

KENT: The Joseph Kent Sauv Blanc needs an open mind because it is not typical of most SB. I think ours has a bit more body and richness than some of the very easy to drink versions of the grape.

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

KENT: Don’t be afraid to cellar a bottle or two of the 2010 for a couple of years. The way it’s made and the dark bottle really allow this wine to drink incredible right on release, but fun to see how it changes over time. Our 2008 is still very delicious.

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!