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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 greater than great, as is the case with today’s wine from Hans Fahden Winery.

Wine Spies Once-in-a-lifetime Alert!: Today we are pleased to the first wine seller to bring you another exclusive from Hans Fahden. This wine is not only very special, it is also precious. Once this wine is gone, the winery will not release another

Superior Wine Alert!: This is another exceptional Hans Fahden wine and we are astounded that it sells for so little

SAVINGS ALERT!: Operatives who buy six or more bottles today will be rewarded with Free Ground Shipping, but only if they enter the secret savings code: MERLOTSPY

Mission Codename: Quothe the Raven

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Respond immediately to reports that Wine Spies Operative favorite, Hans Fahden, has released a one-time Merlot. If the wine is great, secure as much as possible – before they run out – forever!

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Hans Fahden Winery

Wine Subject: 2004 Mountain Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker: Israel Montanez

Backgrounder: The 2003 Hans Fahden Cabernet Sauvignon was one of the most popular Cabs we featured in 2007. In 2008, we offered their incredible 2004. Again, a smash success and a fast sell-out. When we learned that they were producing a limited release Merlot, we sped to the winery to taste the wine. When we fell in love, we secured an exclusive on the wine and are offering you what could be you only chance to try the wine. Read Agent Red’s tasting notes below, followed by his original Mission Report, in which Red first becomes acquainted with this wonderful winery.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Deep ruby red in color with a heart of dark plum. Swirl the glass and thick legs appear slowly before they march slowly down the glass

Smell – A wonderful blast of concentrated aromas of earthen cherry, ripe blackberry, soft pine tar and mild fresh mixed salad herbs

Feel – Initially velvet soft and then the wine shows lush medium tannins as it coats and then drys the tongue and the roof of the mouth

Taste – Big and rich flavors of dark stonefruit, dark cherry, dark smoky blueberry, blackberry and plum, with a slight herbaceous or vegital quality that gives the wine a hearty flavor that follows its initial fruity brightness

Finish – Super long-lasting, with smokey fruit then more vegital all over mouth flavors that taper off slowly as the wine coats and the drys your mouth

Conclusion – Once again, Hans Fahden winery has us scratching our heads at the high-quality/low-price of their wines. We declared their Cabernet Sauvignon to be an underpriced mastepiece and we say the same of this fantastic, youthful Merlot. The only ‘bad’ thing we could say about this wine is that once it is gone, it’s gone. Okay, to be fair, all wines are like this, but when we asked the winery if there would be a future vintage, they (sniff) said ‘nope’! So, dear Operative, stock up, buy us out, grab an ample allocation for this is likey your only chance to try this great wine – from a great winery!

Mission Report:

What follows is our original mission report, in which Agent Red first discovers Hans Fahden’s exquisite wine:

: : San Francisco, California : : Fort Mason : : Family Winemakers of California Tasting event : :

With more than 400 wineries and only two days to taste, I needed to employ my best strategic planning skills. There was simply no way I would be able to taste everything available to me.

Central Command had compiled a list of High Priority Target wineries, and I was tasting wines of all varietals and in all price ranges. Most of them good to great, and only a few real stinkers.

During the latter half of my second day, I initiated the final phase of my tasting which had me tasting only the highest end wines available. This was a phase I was looking forward to and after giving my palate a much needed rest, I reentered the pavilion like a man on a mission. Oh, yeah, I really was on a mission!

After tasting 2 or 3 really superb wines (you’ll enjoy learning of these in a future report), I spotted on of my newest assets, Codename ”Shank”, chatting at one of the winery tasting tables.

Shank, so named for his passion for golf, is a wine industry insider. He works for a leading wine industry technology provider and hails from a winemaking family.

I walked over to the table and Shank introduced me to Karen Fahden of Hans Fahden Vineyards. Karen immediately poured me a glass and I took it for a swirl. I was instantly wowed and I explained that I had been seeking out $50+ wines. I thought that this one would fit right in and I asked Karen if the was $50 – or more. I was shocked by her answer. Karen explained that she gets that reaction a lot.

Right there at the table, I negotiated a nice quantity of bottles for our Agents. Any wine that drinks like a $50 bottle but costs less than half that deserves our best attention.

Winery Backgrounder:

The Fahden vineyards and winery consists of 100 acres. It is located at 1200 feet, in a range of the Mayacamus Mountains, on a ridge above Calistoga, California. The property features panoramic views of Mt. St. Helena.

Hans and Marie Fahden, natives of Hamburg, Germany, purchased the property in 1912. They farmed the land growing grapes until the Prohibition was enacted in 1920. After destroying the vines that they had worked so hard to plant and tender, the family planted prunes.

Sixty years and two generations later, Antone and Lyall Fahden decided they liked Cabernet Sauvignon better than prunes and a new journey began to restore the land and make it productive. From 1982 to 1984, the family went to work, planting three vineyard areas. Separated by volcanic outcroppings and forests of Douglas Fir, these vineyards are now interspersed by picturesque ponds and a beautiful wine cave, which was tunneled into a formation of four million year old volcanic ash.

The Hans Fahden Winery became bonded in 1986. The first bottle of wine, which was produced from the 1987 vintage, was sold in 1992. The Hans Fahden Winery became licensed to conduct public tastings in 1996. Today, the Winery produces incredible award-winning wines that please the pallet and the pocketbook.

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the Dry Creek Valley can be seen in this satellite photo

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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 greater than great, as is the case with today’s wine from Salvestrin Vineyard and Winery.

SAVINGS ALERT! Smart spies stock up on great wines. When they buy 6 or more bottles of today’s SuperCaliTuscan, they will be rewarded with Free Ground Shipping, but only if they enter secret savings code NAPASPY at checkout.

Mission Codename: The Legacy

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Uncover a Super Tuscan-style wine, born in California. If the wine is superb, procure an ample supply for our Operatives to enjoy

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Salvestrin Vineyard and Winery

Wine Subject: 2005 Retaggio Red Wine

Winemakers: Kent Barthman and Rich Salvestrin

Backgrounder:

In just the last decade, Super Tuscans became the latest rage in Italian wine in the United States, however, their story goes back to the late 1940s when the famed Sassicaia wine was reportedly made by Incisa della Rochetta using Cabernet Sauvignon vines from Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, or so the legend goes. Now California Super Tuscan-inspired blends are presenting as great wines of remarkable quality, providing a unique expression of this Italian heritage blend.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Dark purple with a dark inky heart of deep garnet, with tightly-packed, slow thick legs that start slow and then streak down the glass, providing insight into the wines mouthfeel

Smell – Intense wild blackberries, blackberry and raspberry with currant, blueberry, licorice and spices. This wine also presnts secondary aromas of black pepper and earth

Feel – Round and soft at very first, then bright and bold, dry and warm on the tongue, this full-bodied wine has medium tannins and a mouth-coating and chewy quality. As this wine opens up it becomes more velvety

Taste – Extremely well balanced fruit, with notable dusky blackberry, currant, blueberry and soft spice, with touches of oak, black pepper and an earthy quality. Present here is that classic subtle orange zest spiciness that you only find in exceptional Italian wines

Finish – This wine finishes beautifully long and dry with big fruit and a slight herbaceous quality

Conclusion – This is a big, juicy, delicious and fun wine to drink! A really interesting wine as well, with a definite between California-fresh and Super Tuscan heritage. For those Cali wine fans familiar with Super Tuscan wines from Italy, this wine delivers a great synergy of the two. Bright and aromatic with balanced acidity and a great mouthfeel, this wine is a great solo sipper or perfect with most food combinations. Auguri! to Salvestrin for building this wonderful wonderful wine! If you are a fan of Super Tuscans, you won’t be disappointed!

Mission Report:

Three generations of Salvestrins have made wine in America. Today, Rich Salvestrin makes wine on the family’s estate, a practice which began with Rich’s grandfather, John, and was continued by his son, Ed. By American standards, three generations is about as old as a winemaking family can be.

When Central Command issued a Priority Alert for a great California Super Tuscan, our Assets flooded us with intel on various wineries. On feeding all of the data into the W.I.N.E. (Wine Internet Nexus Engine) system, I was presented with three recommendations. At the top of the list was Silvestrin.

Immediately I set out to the winery. Nestled between a residential neighborhood and Crane Park near downtown St. Helena, the 26-acre property is expansive and lush with grape-laden vines. There, on a beautiful late-June day I had the great pleasure to meet with Shannon Salvestrin, Rich’s wife and partner in day to day operation of the winery.

With myself posing as a wine writer (the perfect cover, as I really do write for Imbibe Magazine and Color and Aroma Magazine), we tasted through the range of their wines. We lingered especially long on the Retaggio, today’s wine.

Retaggio is Italian for Legacy, a fitting name for this Tuscan Style wine, from this particular winemaking family, for this wine is the wine embodiment (em_bottlement_?) of the family’s fine heritage and wine-crafting experience.

Made from grapes of Napa Valley Sangiovese and Estate grown Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, the Salvestrins have captured the essence of fine Italian Super Tuscan, but in a rich, sleek and somehow more modern California style that does not sacrifice its old-world roots.

At the end of the tasting, I quietly reveled my true intent, asking Shannon for several cases of the wine for our worthy Operatives to enjoy. She readily agreed, allowing us to procure a small cache – but with the suggestion that we counsel our Operatives to ”… stock up and also keep a few bottles in the cellar to enjoy later.” This Wine Spy has taken her advice to heart. I only hope that I can be patient, for this wine is ready to drink right now!.

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the Salvestrin Estate vineyards can be seen in this satellite photo.

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ATTENTION: Are you looking for the Fritz Underground Winery Ruxton Chardonnay? If so, we are sold out. However, we are currently in Top Secret negotiation with the winery to secure an additional allotment of this very popular wine. Please check back throughout the day!

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 Castelo di Verduno.

Mission Codename: The Hills of Langhe

Operative: Agent White

Objective: Get on the trail of Agent Baco Noir, and find some great wines along the way.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Castelo di Verduno

Wine Subject: 2001 Barolo Massara DOCG

Backgrounder:

Barolo, from the Langhe region of the Piedmonte of north-west Italy is considered among Italy’s greatest wines. Barolo is made from the bold and tangy Nebbiolo varietal. Unfortunately, most people don’t give these wines enough time to mature and as such people find the younger versions a little hot and poorly integrated. But when cellared correctly, Barolo is the most expressive wine made from the Nebbiolo grape with heavenly layer upon layer of tangy fruit, spice, floral scents and more.

The Barolo DOCG is located around the city of Langhe with the best Barolos coming from single named vineyards (like this one – Massara). These wines are meant to age for upwards of 25 years and shouldn’t even be drunk at an age of less than 7 to 8 years. This particular Barolo is just starting to reach its maturity. Expect a bold powerful wine at while young growing in finesse and elegance as they age.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Clear dark ruby red and garnet hues, brick-orange edges with slow thick legs and a slightly viscous appearance.

Smell – Bold and tangy, 100% Nebbiolo in character, with tangy fruit including raspberries and blackberries, spicy pepper, toasted cedar with hints of licorice, tobacco and leather.

Feel – Initially smooth the bold dry and firm tannins kick in, this full-bodied wine is deep, tart and tangy in the mouth. Decante this wine and the tannins mellow, but the bold and tangy flavors continue to live strong.

Taste – Complex layers of tart raspberries and tangy sour cherry, spicy white pepper, with hints of tobacco, licorice and leather that emerge only after the bold fruit dissipates. Again, after some time, this wine mellows.

Finish – Long and clean with a crisp acidity that lingers with fruit, toasted cedar and hints of tobacco.

Conclusion – If you love big, bold and tangy Italian wines, then this one belongs in your collection. Attack this wine right after your open it and it hits you in the mouth like Mafia thug, but if you give it some time, it will sweet talk you like only an Italian lover can. At seven years old, this wine is just starting to show its potential, if you have the patience to cellar this wine, put a bottle or two away, of course, I can’t wait to pop-open my next bottle!

Mission Report:

Agent Baco Noir had long since gone A.W.O.L. Various reports had been coming it that she had been spotted in the The Hills of Langhe, but most of these reports proved to be unsubstantiated. It was extremely discouraging to our Ops Center s many of the greatest Italian wines we’ve run were initially sleuthed by Baco.

Being relatively familiar with the area, I decided to make a trip out. Through back channels, I put the word out that I’d be in the area and I wanted to arrange a meeting with Baco. Hoping that a mutual friend might pass the word on.

A long day of flying into Milan, then a train to Torino and car to Alba. Upon my arrival into Alba I stopped into the _Retrogusto Wine Cafe’ Di Canaparo Andrea_‎ where Giuseppe, one of my local contacts handed me a large manila envelope and quickly scuttled away. Once I had some privacy, I opened the envelope only to find a selection of grainy black-and-white photographs of Baco enjoying wine at various cafes and wineries throughout the area.

At least we had some leads. The first lead took me to Castello di Verduno. One of the photos showed Baco in her signature high-heels and dark glasses talking to the winemaker. I visited the winery, they had little information on Baco’s whereabouts, but did confirm that she had stopped by. Even going as far as to say, that I’d probably also stop by and ask for information and that I should try the Tre Bicchieri 2001 Barolo Massara DOCG.

The wine was great, this wine was just starting to hit its stride, and while I’m not always fond of Agent Baco Noir’s antics, she’s got a knack for finding great wines.

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the Castelo di Verduno can be seen in this satellite photo.

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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 Verge Wine Cellars.

SUPERIOR WINE ALERT!: Today’s VERGE Syrah is a really special wine. If you love superb Syrah, pick up this stunner.

SAVINGS ALERT!: Enjoy FREE Ground Shipping with your purchase of 6 or more bottles when you use coupon code: SPYSYRAH at checkout

Mission Codename: The Verge of Greatness

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Respond to reports that Verge Wine Cellars has crafted a remarkable Syrah. If reports are accurate, secure a quantity for our Operatives

Mission Status: Accomplished

Current Winery: VERGE Wine Cellars

Wine Subject: 2006 Syrah Dry Creek Valley

Winemaker: Mike Brunson

Backgrounder: Syrah is the sole grape used to make the world famous Rhône wines of and Hermitage. It is also the primary component of most Rhône blends, including Chateauneuf du Pape and the wines of Côte Rotie. In Australia, the grape is called Shiraz. In California, Syrah runs the gamut between classic French style and the over-the-top styles of Australian Shiraz. We Spies prefer California Syrah as they tend to find a great balance between these, but also offer the unique characteristics that only California fruit can deliver… and today’s wine DELIVERS!

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Deep burgundy to purple with a deep and inky heart of purple, a bouncy surface and thick legs that move slowly down the glass

Smell – Beautifully and richly aromatic with a unique blend of spicy earth, black currant, pomegranate, forest floor, dusky earthen chocolate, and a hint of pencil lead and smoky meats

Feel – Supple, wet and big, mouth-coating with great medium structured tannins and a cheek drying pucker!

Taste – Delicious layers of flavors, including dark mixed berry, black cherry, darkest plum, dusted dark chocolate, blueberry and subtle but lush lavender

Finish – Juicy, rich, mouth-coating, and delicious with structured tannins and flavors that linger and linger and linger…

Conclusion – This is a great and BIG and delicious Syrah. Decant for best results. On opening this wine, the nose was superb but on first sip I was worried about its heat and intensity. After a few hours, the wine transformed and became fantastic. This is big Syrah, to be sure, but its also a very unique and balanced wine with incredible aromas and flavors. Way to go Mike and Jay! Keep making great wines…

Mission Report:

Once upon a time there was a Dragon and a princess. The dragon was very grumpy because ninjas had kidnapped his winemaker.

When the Princess learned of this she sent her army of mutant pygmy unicorns to rescue the winemaker, in order to restore the dragon’s happiness – which in turn would ensure the safety and happiness of her people.

For 80 days and 80 nights, the mutant pygmy unicorns scoured the lands, but were ultimately unsuccessful in locating the winemaker. The Princess, driven to take drastic measures, consulted with the wise wizard.

The wise wizard declared that they were on the verge of finding the winemaker and that they should not give up on their quest.

Verge… Verge…

I awoke with a start, the word Verge echoing in my head. Aw, crud! I was late for the tour and tasting I had scheduled with with Verge Cellars partners Mike and Jay.

Both exceptionally great guys, I crossed my fingers in hope that they would not be miffed at my tardiness. 30 minutes later I arrived for the vineyard tour and tasting. They ribbed me for a while, but that was all in fun. Besides, these guys have known me long enough to earn the right to rib.

We spent much of the day walking the vineyard, discussing their winemaking ways, enjoying their very unique and very delicious Syrah, and, finally, enjoying a big fat BBQ lunch – which was a perfect compliment to their stupendous wine.

Of note about this wine is that it loves to breath. Open it, decant it for a few hours and you’ll have a better wine on you hands than you tasted on first opening. The aromas mellow, the fruit emerges and the flavors become more balanced and delicious. We recommend at least two hours of decant for maximum enjoyment. As an experiment, I also tried this wine after 8 hours – and it was superb. While not necessary, and certainly not always convenient, decant is recommended.

The Wine Spies love this wine. Get some, before we run out… or the dragon’s winemaker goes missing again.

A tip of the spy hat goes to Agent Ruby for providing the inspiration for the wacky dream sequence above. Have a mission idea? Please feel free to submit it!

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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 Verge Wine Cellars.

SUPERIOR WINE ALERT!: Today’s VERGE Syrah is a really special wine. If you love superb Syrah, pick up this stunner.

SAVINGS ALERT!: Enjoy FREE Ground Shipping with your purchase of 6 or more bottles when you use coupon code: SPYSYRAH at checkout

Mission Codename: The Verge of Greatness

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Respond to reports that Verge Wine Cellars has crafted a remarkable Syrah. If reports are accurate, secure a quantity for our Operatives

Mission Status: Accomplished

Current Winery: VERGE Wine Cellars

Wine Subject: 2006 Syrah Dry Creek Valley

Winemaker: Mike Brunson

Backgrounder: Syrah is the sole grape used to make the world famous Rhône wines of Côte Rotie and Hermitage. I is also the primary component of most Rhône blends, including Chateauneuf du Pape. In Australia, the wine is called Shiraz. In California, Syrah runs the gamut between classic French style and the over-the-top styles of Australian Shiraz. We Spies prefer California Syrah as they tend to find a great balance between these, but also offer the unique characteristics that only California fruit can deliver… and today’s wine DELIVERS!

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Deep burgundy to purple with a deep and inky heart of purple, a bouncy surface and thick legs that move slowly down the glass

Smell – Beautifully and richly aromatic with a unique blend of spicy earth, black currant, pomegranate, forest floor, dusky earthen chocolate, and a hint of pencil lead and smoky meats

Feel – Supple, wet and big, mouth-coating with great medium structured tannins and a cheek drying pucker!

Taste – Delicious layers of flavors, including dark mixed berry, black cherry, darkest plum, dusted dark chocolate, blueberry and subtle but lush lavender

Finish – Juicy, rich, mouth-coating, and delicious with structured tannins and flavors that linger and linger and linger…

Conclusion – This is a great and BIG and delicious Syrah. Decant for best results. On opening this wine, the nose was superb but on first sip I was worried about its heat and intensity. After a few hours, the wine transformed and became fantastic. This is big Syrah, to be sure, but its also a very unique and balanced wine with incredible aromas and flavors. Way to go Mike and Jay! Keep making great wines…

Mission Report:

Once upon a time there was a Dragon and a princess. The dragon was very grumpy because ninjas had kidnapped his winemaker.

When the Princess learned of this she sent her army of mutant pygmy unicorns to rescue the winemaker, in order to restore the dragon’s happiness – which in turn would ensure the safety and happiness of her people.

For 80 days and 80 nights, the mutant pygmy unicorns scoured the lands, but were ultimately unsuccessful in locating the winemaker. The Princess, driven to take drastic measures, consulted with the wise wizard.

The wise wizard declared that they were on the verge of finding the winemaker and that they should not give up on their quest.

Verge… Verge…

I awoke with a start, the word Verge echoing in my head. Aw, crud! I was late for the tour and tasting I had scheduled with with Verge Cellars partners Mike and Jay.

Both exceptionally great guys, I crossed my fingers in hope that they would not be missed at my tardiness. 30 minutes later I arrived for the vineyard tour and tasting. They ribbed me for a while, but that was all in fun. Besides, these guys have known me long enough to earn the right to rib.

We spent much of the day walking the vineyard, discussing their winemaking ways, enjoying their very unique and very delicious Syrah, and, finally, enjoying a big fat BBQ lunch – which was a perfect compliment to their stupendous wine.

Of note about this wine is that it loves to breath. Open it, decant it for a few hours and you’ll have a better wine on you hands than you tasted on first opening. The aromas mellow, the fruit emerges and the flavors become more balanced and delicious. We recommend at least two hours of decant for maximum enjoyment. As an experiment, I also tried this wine after 8 hours – and it was superb. While not necessary, and certainly not always convenient, decant is recommended.

The Wine Spies love this wine. Get some, before we run out!

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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 Sol Rouge Vineyard and Winery.

Special Limited Allocation Notice:

Due to the extremely limited allocation of this wine, we are limited orders to a maximum of two cases per operative. Be sure to place your order early as we are sure to sell out!

Mission Codename: Mountain High

Operative: Agent White & Agent Blush

Objective: Acquire an allocation of the SUPER EXCLUSIVE New Sol Rouge Cabernet Sauvignon.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Sol Rouge Vineyard and Winery

Wine Subject: 2006 Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker: Bryan Kane

Backgrounder:

The 2006 Sol Rouge Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon is made exclusively from mountain Cabernet Sauvignon fruit from the northern part of the Mayacamas mountain range (in Lake County, just east of Mendocino and north of Sonoma which is exploding as wine growing region) home of several of California’s cult Cabernet Sauvignons like those of Peter Michael, Pride, Diamond Creek, and, of course, Mayacamas Vineyards.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Dark purple and almost black in color with inky clarity and garnet and purple highlighted edges. When swirled, this wine has slow moving and thick legs.

Smell – Bold, but balanced bouquet with aromas of blackberries, both tart and ripe cherries, toasted oak and spice. As this wine opens up a distinct herbaceous component of green peppers also emerges.

Feel – Dry, rich and smooth but with firm tannic structure that reaches the far corners of the palate with a spicy tingle that lingers on the tip of the tongue.

Taste – Concentrated black and red fruits lead off with layers of toasted oak, spicy black pepper and a hint of licorice.

Finish – This wine finishes long and lingers with balanced flavors of fruit, spice and oak.

Conclusion – Once again, Bryan Kane has produced an exceptional wine. This Cabernet is bold, but not overpowering and true to its varietal characteristics. Give this wine some time to breathe and you will be handsomely rewarded with an exceptional wine drinking experience. Try this wine with grilled beef or game meats.

Mission Report:

Our flight plan listed our destination as 1O2 – Lampson Field Airport, at the south end of Lake County. We weren’t interested in landing, however. The purpose here was to do some low level reconnaissance of the vineyards at the north end of the Mayacamas mountain range.

Tree-top flying is at its best in the cool early mornings (hopefully not waking the neighbors as we blow the fruit right off the vine). The problem here was dropping out of radar contact from NorCal Approach, particularly since we were so close to the Maxwell Military Operation Area (MOA).

Starting at the highest point of the mountain, about 4760 feet MSL, we carefully followed the ridgelines working our way down. Blush, with chart in hand indicated the direction the vineyard of interest. As we approached our target, the terrain was between about 1800 and 2600 feet in elevation.

”Put her in a slip, I need to get a close-up look”.

Applying left rudder and right aileron, the plane banked about 20 degrees providing her with a great view…

”Can’t you fly any lower?,” she asked, “No, we’re already only 5-700 feet AGL”., I responded, keeping track of the terrain and the winds.

”Now I know, why Bryan’s wines are so good”, she said, ”Look at that Mountain Terroir…, It’s perfect!”

As a matter of fact, the Mayacamas are known for austere, coarse and complex rocky volcanic soil. The climate is also ideal for growing great Cabernet Sauvignon. Longer, more balanced growing days with the morning sun and a lack of fog that usually blankets the valley floor and cool afternoon breezes moderate the hot afternoon sun. That combined with extremely low yields result in smaller berries and more balanced, complex and concentrated fruit.

The Terroir and climate is why some of the most loved cult wines come from the Mayacamas.

Let’s head back as she flashed me an evil grin…

”Too bad your flying White, I guess that means more wine for me!”

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the Sol Rouge Vineyards can be seen in this satellite photo.

Mission Postscript: Agent White is a trained mountain search and rescue pilot. Always fly safely and within the limits of yours and your aircraft’s abilities and according to the appropriate FAA regulations.

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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 Deerfield Ranch Winery.

LOOKING FOR BURGESS CABERNET SAUVIGNON? Please check back after midnight for this superb wine!

Mission Codename: Sancerre, West…

Operative: Agent White

Objective: Revisit Deerfield Ranch Winery and secure a great white for summer.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Deerfield Ranch Winery

Wine Subject: 2006 Sauvignon Blanc

Winemaker: Robert Rex & Michael Browne

Backgrounder:

Sauvignon Blanc, grown all over the world, is most notably known for its great wines from Sancerre in the Loire Valley, France and Marlborough in New Zealand. California premium Sauvignon Blanc has, as a result of better wine making and using only the best harvested fruit, has improved dramatically from many of the lackluster wines that are mass-produced and mass retail marketed. Spend the time to find the better Sauvignon Blancs and you won’t be disappointed.

A Note about the ZORK:

This wine sports a brand new type of cork called a ZORK. The Zork is removed by pulling and unwinding the plastic capsule revealing a synthetic cork that can be reused as a stopper. The unique Zork help to preserve this delicious wine in between pours.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Clear and pale straw yellow in color with thick legs that hint at this wine’s viscosity. This wine shows a springy surface that catches the light and reflects brighyly.

Smell – Medium intensity tropical fruit, citrus and lychee flavors with a hint of flinty minerality (a required component in this spy’s opinion).

Feel – Cool and wet with a unique flinty mineral quality, medium acidity that adds to the crispness as well as a creaminess that pleases the palate.

Taste – Flavors of tropical fruit, grapefruit, citrus and Granny Smith apples. A small oak component.

Finish – Medium long with with nice flavor complexity that lingers with its tart fruit flavors.

Conclusion – A delicious and easy to drink Sauvignon Blanc. This wine is crisp making it ideal for warm summer nights and lends itself to spicy food, fresh or slightly aged cow’s, goat’s and sheep’s milk cheeses and grilled fish. Overall a very nice wine!

Mission Report:

Those who know me, know that among my most favorite white wines, are those from Sancerre (and Marlborough, New Zealand) is very close behind. Unfortunately, too often I end up tasting a Sauvignon Blanc that is, well for lack of a better word, ordinary. And most lack the most critical of flavor components for me, the minerality that emerges as a flinty and wet rock flavor indicative of the Terroir.

So, when Agent Red sent me to taste yet another Sauvignon Blanc, I was indeed skeptical. But perhaps this time would be different. It was a visit to Sonoma’s Deerfield Ranch Winery (Sonoma County Vintner member). We have featured a couple of their wines and all were very nice. This would be their first white for their dossier.

Well I am happy to report that this wine stands up to its billing! The 2006 Sauvignon Blanc is bright and crisp with good acidity, tart tropical fruit and, indeed, the mineral component, that I just love. While its not a Sancerre or Marlborough, its a delicious Sauvignon Blanc with a unique California flair.

This wine lends itself perfectly to the upcoming summer barbeque season and also sports the latest in cork technology. The Zork (see details above) make bringing this wine on a picnic or to the beach easy. And, just in case you have any left over (I’m betting you wont), you can easily recork the Zork.

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of Deerfield Ranch Winery can be seen in this satellite photo.

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