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If you are visiting us for the first time, Welcome! The Wine Spies feature one exceptional wine each day – and we only bring you wines that we ourselves seek out and love. Always, the wines are great. Sometimes even better than that, as is the case with today’s wine from Clif Bar Family Winery and Farm.

SAVINGS ALERT!: Today’s wine is over 20% off, but you’ll save even more if you buy six or more bottles – because we’ll give you Free Ground Shipping. Just enter promo code: CABSPY

Mission Codename: A View to A Kill(er Cab)

Operative: Agent White

Objective: Seek out the latest killer Cabernet Sauvignon from our friends at Clif Bar Family Winery and Farm.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Clif Bar Family Winery and Farm

Wine Subject: 2005 kit’s killer cab

Winemaker: Sarah Gott

Backgrounder:

The Oakville AVA, centrally located and adjacent to Napa Valley’s famous Rutherford AVA, was established in July 1993. Oakville is considered on of the most diverse AVA’s in the Napa area and grows some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Dark purple with ruby-garnet edges and inky clarity with long slender legs that streak down to the side of the glass when swirled.

Smell – Bold, intense and youthful ripe and sweet blackberries and raspberries. Beyond the fruit forward initial aromas are hints of cocoa, licorice and new oak.

Feel – Rich and full-bodied, initially smooth then medium firm tannins kick in at mid palate with a balance of creamy and mineral textures fill your entire mouth.

Taste – Concentrated layer upon layer of ripe fruit including black cherries and blackberries with balanced flavors of oak, spicy pepper that hits both the tip of the tongue and the back of the palate and lingering flavors of cocoa.

Finish – This wine finishes long and smooth with lingering flavors of fruit, oak and cocoa.

Conclusion – Despite its youth, this wine is surprisingly well integrated with layers of flavors. Give this wine some time to open up by decanting it and you’ll be handsomely rewarded. While this wine is youthful, it is easy to drink and enjoy and will complement a wide array of food or can also be enjoyed by itself. This spy enjoyed this wine with grilled chicken, mushroom and red onion skewers with home made North Carolina barbecue sauce (a special thank you to Bryce at Los Angeles’ Third Stop for the sauce).

Mission Report:

I’m not much of a climber, but I do enjoy a good hike and the great outdoors. Recently, Agent Blush and I flew out to Saint George, Utah and rented a car to go and visit Zion National Park.

A ’killer view’ in Zion National Park

For those who haven’t been, it is a spectacular site to see. We had made arrangements to stay at the Zion Lodge, an old and rustic set of cabins nestled deep in the the Zion Canyon. During the day, we’d hike up the canyon, to Emerald Pools, or the Temple of Sinawava and just take in the fresh air. On one of our hikes, this one to the more rigorous Upper Emerald Pool, we ran across some very experienced, but visibly tired, climbers. Sitting there, I pulled out some bottled water (yes water) and a couple Clif Bars. I love the chocolate and peanut crunch version, Blush likes the chocolate brownie.

I offered the climbers a couple of our Clif Bars (they looked like they needed them) and after the obligatory thank yous, they mentioned that they had tried wine from the folks at Clif. Not wanting to blow my cover, I played cool and asked them about the wine.

’I’m no expert, but the Clif Cab is Killer, in fact its called kit’s killer cab’, he said.

’It’s really good!, in fact it be perfect for later as we relax back at the lodge’, the other climber said.

’I really like Clif products, I love their commitment to natural and organic food,’ the first climber continued, ’too bad more people don’t focus on doing things as simply.’

’Yeah, its all about keeping it simple,’ Blush said…

After they left, Blush asked if we had tried kit’s killer cab. ’Not yet,’ I said, ’...but the minute we get back, I’ll dispatch Agent Red to get us some.’

’That would be killer.’, Blush said and smiled…

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of Napa Valley’s Oakville AVA can be seen in this satellite photo.