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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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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 offer it to you at at great price – 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 Le Benducce de Tornesi.

RARE WINE ALERT: This is an exceptionally rare and small quantity wine that is absolutely one of the best Brunello di Montalcinos that you will ever taste. If you are a fan of big Tuscan classics, get yourself some of this!

Mission Codename: The Man From M.O.N.T.A.L.C.I.N.O.

Operative: Agent Blush

Objective: Seek out an excellent small production Brunello di Montalcino for our U.S. based operatives.

Mission Status: Accomplished

Current Winery: Le Benducce de Tornesi

Wine Subject: 2001 Brunello di Montalcino

Winemaker: Maurizio Tornesi and Paolo Vagaggini

Backgrounder:

Brunello di Montalcinos occupy a special place in the hearts of all Wine Spies. Coming from a very distinct and designated (DOCG – officially designated in 1967 as one of Italy’s first DOC classified wines) region in Tuscany about 70 miles south of Florence, Brunellos typically are the best wines produced from the Sangiovese grape. By regulation, Brunellos must be produced by using a 100% Brunello clone of the Sangiovese grape, hence the mystic and lore of this exceptional wine. Typically, Brunellos are among the most expensive Italian wines, which is why today’s wine is such an exceptional offering.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Ruby-red and purple with orange and pink hues along the edges with thin legs.

Smell – Bold and intense with flavors of raspberry, toasted oak, earthy and a hint of leather.

Feel – Smooth, velvety and wet all over the tongue, then the medium tannins kick in to balance the mouth feel.

Taste – Excellent flavors characteristic of Brunellos and Sangiovese with raspberries, blackberries, black cherries and toasted oak.

Finish – This wine finishes long and smooth, inviting a second sip and then yet another.

Conclusion – The Tornesi Brunello di Montalcino is a lovely wine that is smooth to drink, bold and well rounded in flavor, complex and true to its varietal characteristics. This wine deserves the ratings it has received and perhaps should be scored even higher. The winery recommends opening for at least 2 hours or decanting prior to serving.

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The Montalcino region can be viewed in this satellite photo.

Wine Spies Technical Analysis

Owner: Maurizio Tornesi

1st Bottling: 1993

Extension: 7 ha

Vines: 4.5 ha

N° vines/ha: ca. 4,500

Production/ha in hl: 60-70 hl

Annual production in bt.: 9-10.000 bott./0,75 lt.

Different crus: Loghino, Piano, Lecciarello

Grapes: 100 % Sangiovese Grosso

Soil: mainly Galestro

Note: The Le Benducce de Tornesi label is a second label from for the same wine labeled by Tornesi for exclusive sale in the United States.

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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 Podere Casina.

Exclusive Wine Alert:

Like many of the wines featured here at The Wine Spies, today’s selection is extremely rare and is of very limited availability. The Wine Spies have secured a very limited allocation of today’s wine.

Special Operative Savings

Please use the promotion code SPYNOW for free ground shipping on orders of six or more bottles.

Mission Codename: Tuscan Sunrise

Operative: Agent White

Objective: Seek out a unique Super Tuscan from the Maremma region

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Podere Casina

Wine Subject: 2004 Aione – Maremma Toscana I.G.T.

Winemaker: Emiliano Falsini

Backgrounder:

The Maremma region is located on the west-central coast of Italy half way between Rome and Florance and immediately south of the village of Grosseto. Like many Super Tuscans, this 100% Sangiovese vino da tavola doesn’t qualify for DOC status but is every bit as good.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Dark purple and almost black in color with dark garnet edges, but it’s surprisingly clear with thick slow legs that indicates a slightly more viscous wine.

Smell – Bold ripe fruit including blackberries and cherries, toasted and smokey oak, hints of tobacco and that uniquely Sangiovese tangy spiciness.

Feel – Dry and full bodied with solidly firm tannins, medium acidity and both tart and mineral components adding to the overall complexity of this wine.

Taste – Fruit forward with flavors of Schmidt Black Cherries. Both zesty and tangy with hints of spicy black pepper and toasted oak.

Finish – This wine finishes long and clean with hints of tart fruit and its distinctive Sangiovese zest.

Conclusion – Fans of Super Tuscans will naturally love this wine. It is true to its Sangiovese character with that spicy zestiness that makes the wines of Italy one of this spy’s favorite. Enjoy this wine with grilled game meats

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the Maremma region 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 Bradford Mountain Winery.

SUPERIOR WINE ALERT!: We are proud to present the best Zinfandel we have tasted this year! Need we say more?

ORGANIC WINE ALERT!: Today’s wine is made from 100% organic grapes. Note: We will always issue a special alert when we show organic wines

SAVINGS ALERT!: Enter coupon code SPYZIN at checkout and we’ll give you Free Ground Shipping on orders of 6 bottles or more

Mission Codename: Grist for the mill

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Rove the hills and valleys of the Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma County, recover an outstanding Zinfandel for our Operatives

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Bradford Mountain Winery

Wine Subject: Grist Vineyard 2005 Zinfandel

Winemakers: Troy McEnery (winemaker) and Webster Marquez (associate winemaker)

Backgrounder: Zinfandel wines can be big, noisy, pepper-filled beasts of a wine. Today we have sleuthed for you one of our all time favorite Zinfandels, Bradford Mountain’s incredible Grist Vineyard Zinfandel, a wine of remarkably fresh flavors and aromas that, together with a great mouth feel and balanced character, delivering a wine drinking experience that is not to be missed. Read Agent Red’s tasting notes and mission report below to learn more about this wine. Be sure to place your order before we run out, however, we expect this wine to move fast

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Deep dark, almost blood red, but but perfectly clear with deeply concentrated color right out to the edges of the wine and chubby, slow-moving legs that run down the glass at varying speeds

Smell – Gorgeous is the best single-word description we can assign to the beautiful aromatics of this wine! With smells of fresh mixed wild berries, chocolate tart with plum and mint, sweet pipe tobacco, with a fresh green smell that we can’t quite identify. Its not a vegital smell, nor is it an herbaceous aroma. Rather, it just smells like green, and we love it. Inhale deeply and you’ll see what we mean!

Feel – Instantly rich and round in your mouth, with a bright and full-bodied feel. The wine coats your mouth, but does not feel slick, oily or cloying. What you find here is a tenderness and a brightness that is balanced against supple tannins, rich and lean, bold and lavish, yet fun and refined.

Taste – Rich and brightly concentrated with intense sweet flavors of freshest mixed berries, sweet herbs, softest tar, soft exotic spices and a hint of dark chocolate and a hint of mint

Finish – Sweet and extremely long with a slight dryness that invigorates your senses and invites you to keep on sipping!

Conclusion – This is an incredible Zinfandel with unique fresh and bright flavors of fruit, with a bright rush of perfect aromas that encourage you to inhale deeply -again and again – before you even taste the wine. When you tire of teasing yourself with inhalations, the feel and flavors of this wine sing out as deeply original and incredibly delicious. This wine gets my heartiest personal recommendation to any Zinfandel fan or any interested in learning just how awesome a Zin can be.

Mission Report:

*:: FLASH TRAFFIC :: PRIORITY ALPHA ! :: EYES ONLY ::

SUPERIOR WINE ALERT ISSUED: Midnight, July 2nd, 2008

WINE SPIES AGENT: Agent Red

INTEL SOURCE: Field Asset, Codename: ‘Crljenak’

AGENT RED REPORTING:

Crljenak, a developing field asset, alerted me to Bradford Mountain Winery and their 2004 Grist Vineyard’s Zinfandel just one week ago. It was Crljenak’s first field report that got my attention:

“Sir, Crljenak reporting! I have located the perfect Zinfandel. You must secure a quantity of the wine before word of its greatness spreads – and the winery runs out! You won’t be disappointed.”

Details about the wine followed.

While I am used to somewhat fanatical recommendations from our various assets, this one struck as as one to assign a high priority to. You see, “Crljenak” is a top-level industry insider. While I cannot reveal his or her true identity, I can tell you that a review from this person can make a wine – or destroy it.

I secured samples of the wine and was, indeed, blown away. Today’s wine delivers the goods, with a perfectly balanced mix of delicious flavors, tender feel, deeps aromas and marvelous finish.

Both winemakers associated with this wine are stars in the industry, Troy McEnery having crafted remarkable wines for Hambrecht Vineyards, C. Donatiello Winery and others – and Webster “Web” Marquez is making waves with his own projects. Both, however are dedicated to extracting the fullest expression of the Grist Vineyard when making Bradford Mountain’s Zinfandel.

After conducting my initial review of the wine, I quickly sought out winemaker Troy McEnery. During a brief phone call, Troy imparted a great deal of information about the wine and the vineyards. What follows are portions of his comments, extracted and transcribed for this report:

“The Grist Vineyard is recognized as a premium Zinfandel vineyard. The grapes grown there are highly sought after and wineries like Gary Farrell Winery, Turley Wine Cellars and others purchase Grist grapes for their premium wines.”

“The vineyards are head-trained, trellis vines that are 35 to 45 years old. The 1000’ elevation, the iron-rich volcanic soil and the West Dry Creek Valley exposure all contribute to growing outstanding Zinfandel grapes.”

“This wine has a really juicy wild-berry ripeness with excellent acidity.”

“I don’t understand what some Zinfandels are even for? Zinfandel can be seen as the ‘Mike Tyson’ of wine varietals, but this is This is no ‘clown’ of a Zinfandel. This is a fun wine, sure, but its also a sincere wine that stands on its own, or can pair without food – without overpowering you.”

After tasting the wine, loving it and then collecting all of the intel that I could on the wine, I infiltrated the winery and secured today’s limited allocation for our Operatives to enjoy. Be SURE to try this great wine, before we run out.

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the gorgeous Grist Vineyard 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 Ceja Vineyards.

SUPERIOR WINE ALERT!

We spies love this wine SO much that we begged Ceja to allow us to bring you a final secret allocation. They readily agreed. This is the perfect summertime red. Don’t let the low price fool you, this is a killer wine!

SAVINGS ALERT!

Smart Spies stock up on great wines. We’ll help you by offering you Free Ground Shipping when you buy 12 or more bottles today. Just enter coupon code: SPYROJO at checkout.

Mission Codename: Misconceptions… Destroyed

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Locate an incredible Red table wine in time for the holidays and secure a good quantity for our Operatives

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Ceja Wine

Wine Subject: 2005 Vino de Casa (Red blend)

Winemakers: Armando Ceja

Backgrounder:

When The Wine Spies learned of an incredible red blend that was made from an original blending of half Pinot Noir and half Syrah, Agent Red was immediately dispatched to investigate. What he found was an very unique wine of amazing balance, flavor and character. Read his mission report below for the full details on this incredible wine.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Perfectly clear ruby red with sparkling pink at the edges with long, tightly-spaced legs

Smell – Beautifully aromatic red fruit, cherry, plum with a Pinot Noir-ish gunpowder note and a pleasant hint of earthy undergrowth

Feel – Wet, cool and smooth in the mouth balanced by big tannins

Taste – UNIQUE TASTE ALERT! This wine presents juicy yet classic flavors of Pinot Noir and Syrah – in almost equal proportion. With layered flavors that compliment each other rather than compete, this wine is an exciting wine to drink. Cherry, candy apple and plum with subtle cocoa and toasted vanilla round out this balanced and flavorful delight

Finish – Long, dry and chalky – a more classic Syrah finish with lingering flavors and a slight pucker that begs you to enjoy your next sip

Conclusion – When I bluster about a wine, know this: I MEAN IT. This is a fantastic wine, regardless of the price. This wine is a deal at the regular retail price of $20 and an outright STEAL at The Wine Spies price of $16. If you are looking for a stock-up-for-the-holidays ‘budget’ wine, swing that mouse pointer to the ORDER THIS WINE NOW button, well, NOW. Sign me up for at least a case.

Guest Sommelier Agent K contributes her thoughts on this wine:

”Earthy notes of wet undergrowth, strawberry and grape with hints of rose petals. The palate brings red cherry, chalk and pepper.”

Mission Report:

between missions I was enjoying some downtime at my favorite Napa wine lounge, when an urgent dispatch came through on my Wine Spy handheld. Central Command had received a flurry urgent inquiries for a GREAT red wine – for less than $20.

“Leave your misconceptions behind”, was the clear directive. “Find us a wine that drinks well above its price, and find it TODAY!”

I had just one problem: I was hungry!

I asked the owner of the lounge where I could pick up great Mexican food. Before he could answer, I felt a hand on my shoulder. Turning as I reached instinctively for my corkscrew I saw young man with a flashing smile.

“Like Tacos?” he asked.

“Uhh. Yeah. Love ‘em,” I replied.

“And great wine, too?”

“Who doesn’t?” I said.

“Follow me,” he said.

After a short car ride later we turned into the driveway for Ceja Vineyards, a winery that I had heard only great things about.

Stepping out of the car, the aromas hit me. Spices, beans, grilled meat and… red wine.

The young man, who introduced himself as Ariel Ceja, led me into a small outbuilding adjacent to the tasting room. Inside was smiling woman who hugged me as I entered. Ariel introduced me to his grandmother and invited me to sit down. Inside this room, the aromas were intoxicating.

Ariel handed me a glass of red wine, explaining that this was their family’s house wine. A deep sniff, a swirl and a taste was all it took for me to fall in love with their wine. The tacos were incredible as well and we laughed and shared stories until suddenly, remembering my mission, I became sullen.

“What’s the matter?” they asked.

“I forgot,” I replied “I was supposed to find a great red wine.”

“You did!” they said.

“For $20 or less! Do you have any less expensive wines? This one is too good.”

They laughed and laughed. When they stopped laughing, Grandma pulled me close and whispered, to me:

“Our Vino de Casa is a $20 wine!”

More laughter….

Postscript: After filing my report with Central Command, I spent the balance of the day with the Ceja family, eating, drinking, roaming their vineyards. It was hard to leave at the end of the day, but at least I left with a feeling that this day had been among my luckiest – and most rewarding – as a Wine Spy. I got to spend time with great people and enjoy their hospitality. I also learned a valuable lesson that great wines can be found for less than $20!.

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the Ceja vineyards 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 Domaine Robert Klingenfus.

EXCLUSIVE WINE ALERT:

As part of our inaugural launch of International Wine Sundays, The Wine Spies have secured a very special wine. We are the only retailer in the United States with an allocation of this rare, organic and boutique Alsace Riesling. Be sure to pick up a few bottles, one for your next summer get-together and a couple for your cellar and collection. But stock up now, our allocation is extremely limited.

SAVINGS ALERT:

Use the promotion code FRENCHSPY for free ground shipping on orders of six or more bottles. Be sure to sign up for our Daily Dispatch for more valuable promotions for additional savings.

Mission Codename: A.O.C. Alsace… Organic… Chartreux!

Operative: Agent White & Agent Terroir

Objective: Seek out a boutique organic Riesling from France’s famous Alsace region.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Domaine Robert Klingenfus

Wine Subject: 2005 Riesling Clos des Chartreux

Winemaker: Robert Klingenfus

Backgrounder:

The Alsace AOC (also Vin d’Alsace AOC) covers the entire Alsace region in east-central France bordering Germany from north of Strasburg to Switzerland’s Basel with the Rhine river as a natural border.

The region is known primarily for Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Muscat and Sylvaner along with several lesser varietals. The wines of the Alsace provide a great balance between the classic French styles with German influence (don’t tell the French that though).

The region is also rich in history which is why you get the mixture in various winemaking influences with the border being disputed from 1648’s Thirty Years War all the way through World War II.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Clear golden with tints of pale green with thick slow legs that that creep down the side of the glass. This wine is thick and viscous when swirled.

Smell – Clean and bright with flavors of tart tropical fruits and layers of spice and a distinct Alsace mineral component.

Feel – Smooth, medium dry (very slight sweetness) with a creamy mouth-feel that balances the a nice minerality.

Taste – Tart flavors of tropical fruit, a bold grapefruit component, with hints of spice, floral blossoms, flinty minerality and a very subtle nutty flavor.

Finish – Long and crisp with tart fruits, especially the bright grapefruit, and lingering with its other flavor components.

Conclusion – The 2005 Clos des Chartreux is a beautiful wine with well balanced and integrated flavors that will please even the most discerning Alsace experts. For those that deny that Terroir has an impact on wine flavors, this wine proves them wrong.

Being medium-dry with balanced acidity and a lighter alcohol content, this wine will pair perfectly with all your summer creations. We enjoyed this wine with a salad with fresh figs, Roquefort cheese and candied walnuts with a balsamic reduction dressing.

Mission Report:

The plan was to arrive in France with a few day’s to spare before the start of the 2008 Tour de France. Flying into Paris and then jumping a train to Brest. Upon arriving in Paris, Agent Terroir was their at Charles de Gaulle airport. Terroir was supposed to have arranged our transportation, lodging and even setting up our bikes so we could ride a few of the stages before the official race.

Like all good plans, once put into operation, they go right out the window. Terroir said Brest was off the itinerary, we had no bikes and hopefully, we’ll have time to hit some of the later mountain stages, but we would most likely miss the first few stages.

Instead, we jumped a connecting flight to Strasbourg on the French/German border. Normally, I don’t mind connecting flights, but when they are in small airplanes, I prefer to be at the controls. Terroir noticed my agitation and tried to calm me with stories of exquisite wines, and small wineries that focus on organic and biodynamic production…

At Strasbourg, things went from bad to worse, Terroir had hired the ugliest lime and chartreuse green two-tone Citroën 2CV (yeah – the ones that look like refrigerators); and it barely ran. Agent Terroir is way to into this ’green’ thing.

Our ’green wheels’ for this mission.

Thankfully after some coaxing, it started and we headed north along the Rhine to Molsheim. Along the way, Terroir was regaling me with stories of the latest small producer he had found. How perfect their wine was. How he loved the commitment to biodynamic, sustainable farming and organic production. And how the Wine Spies would be the only folks in the U.S. to get this wine.

The most interesting part of the story, was that the wine we were going to taste was made from a Premier Cru vineyard and in the style that dates back almost 500 years. Originally, the Clos des Chartreux, named from Charters who lived in the region was made by Carthusian Monks in 1520.

The long ride gave me a chance to calm down a little, but it was only once we arrived at Domaine Robert Klingenfus and I tasted the wine that I really relaxed. The wine was delicious, classic Alsace in style, medium dry with tropical fruit, tart grapefruit and a unique mineral component that is 100% Alsace in nature.

I immediately reported into the Operations Center that we had acquired a target wine and that I would be unavailable for the rest of the week. _Now, I only hope our P.O.S. Citroën 2CV can get me all the way across France to I can catch stage one next weekend!

Agent Red’s Mission Postscript:

For those fans of the Tour de France, you can catch coverage of this amazing bicycle race (along with all the scandals) on Versus Channel (check your local cable listings; formerly Outdoor Life Network – OLN); and no, the guy that dresses up like the Devil with a pitchfork and chases the riders up the mountain stages is not Agent Terroir in disguise (although it may be Agent White’s alter-ego Dr. Decimal!)

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the Domaine Robert Klingenfus winery 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 Podere Casina.

Exclusive Wine Alert:

Like many of the wines featured here at The Wine Spies, today’s selection is extremely rare and is of very limited availability. The Wine Spies have secured a very limited allocation of today’s wine.

Special Operative Savings

Please use the promotion code SPYNOW for free ground shipping on orders of six or more bottles.

Mission Codename: Tuscan Sunrise

Operative: Agent White

Objective: Seek out a unique Super Tuscan from the Maremma region

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Podere Casina

Wine Subject: 2004 Aione – Maremma Toscana I.G.T.

Winemaker: Emiliano Falsini

Backgrounder:

The Maremma region is located on the west-central coast of Italy half way between Rome and Florance and immediately south of the village of Grosseto. Like many Super Tuscans, this 100% Sangiovese vino da tavola doesn’t qualify for DOC status but is every bit as good.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Dark purple and almost black in color with dark garnet edges, but it’s surprisingly clear with thick slow legs that indicates a slightly more viscous wine.

Smell – Bold ripe fruit including blackberries and cherries, toasted and smokey oak, hints of tobacco and that uniquely Sangiovese tangy spiciness.

Feel – Dry and full bodied with solidly firm tannins, medium acidity and both tart and mineral components adding to the overall complexity of this wine.

Taste – Fruit forward with flavors of Schmidt Black Cherries. Both zesty and tangy with hints of spicy black pepper and toasted oak.

Finish – This wine finishes long and clean with hints of tart fruit and its distinctive Sangiovese zest.

Conclusion – Fans of Super Tuscans will naturally love this wine. It is true to its Sangiovese character with that spicy zestiness that makes the wines of Italy one of this spy’s favorite. Enjoy this wine with grilled game meats

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the Maremma region 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 Hans Fahden Winery.

Superior Wine Alert!

This is an exceptional wine and we are astounded that it sells for so little. We featured this wine as an exclusive pre-release and now we’ve been able to secure an additional allocation. For EXTRA SAVINGS, be sure to use the promotion code SPYHANS for free ground shipping on orders of six or more.

Mission Codename: It turns out that you can improve on perfection!

Operative: Agent Cuvée (under the watchful eye of Agent Red)

Objective: Send rookie Wine Spy, Agent Cuvée, into friendly territory, on his inaugural mission to return with the new vintage of Hans Fahdens great Cabernet Sauvignon – before the winery even releases the wine

Mission Status: Accomplished! (way to go Agent Cuvée!)

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. When featured here, the wine was a smash hit and sold out very quickly. Today we are proud to bring you their newest vintage. Read Agent Cuvée’s tasting notes and mission report below to see how this vintage compares to the 2003

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Deep burgundy color with a dark black-plum heart and chubby legs that are slow to form – then quick to streak down the glass (unique!)

Smell – A big blast of concentrated aromatics of cherry, ripe blackberry, oak, smoke, soft leather and mild spice

Feel – Initially soft and then the wine expresses medium to big tannins as it coats and then drys the mouth

Taste – This vintage is as delicious as the last, with juicy flavors of dark smoky blueberry, blackberry and plum, with earthen mushroom, mild leather and oak

Finish – Long-lasting, all over mouth flavors that taper off beautifully as the wine dry and coats your mouth

Conclusion – Here is what Agent Red said about the 2003 vintage:

If you love great Cabernet Sauvignon wine that possess balance, character, flavor and great aromatics, this is a great wine for you. I believe that this wine drinks like a $50 or higher-priced cab and have told this to the folks at the winery. Their answer is simple: “People keep telling us to raise our prices. This is the perfect reason to keep them low. We want everyone to be able to enjoy our wines and we will continue to create great wines at a fair price”. The Wine Spies look forward to their next vintage!

Here’s what I say about this 2004 vintage:

This wine has many of the same qualities, but is even better!

For your best experience with this wine, decant for a few hours as it will soften and its aromatic qualities and deep flavors open up. This wine is certainly ready to drink now, but I have to think that it will only approve with a little bottle aging. When you purchase some today, be sure to get bottles to enjoy now, but also cellar some. You’ll thank me both times!

Mission Report:

Agent Cuvée here, reporting on my first ever solo-mission. Today I am a full-fledged Wine Spy!

Agent Red recruited me six months ago, at my place of work at one of Monterey’s best wine establishments. I can’t blow my own cover by telling you where I work, but Agent Red calls me a “Big Wheel” in the Monterey wine scene.

Its because I am so well known in Monterey that Wine Spies Central Command sent me on this particular mission. I need to keep my legend in tact so mission to other regions will be my de rigueur.

For this mission, I had to infiltrate Hans Fahden – and return with their new Cabernet Sauvignon. “Easy,” you say? Under normal circumstances, maybe, but I had to grab the wine before the wine was even released to the public!

The Wine Spies featured Hans Fahden’s superb 2003 vintage Cabernet Sauvignon and our Operatives loved it (see Agent Red’s previous mission report, below). It was a great wine and Wine Spies Operatives snapped it up and we sold out quickly.

On visiting the beautiful winery in Sonoma County’s Mayacamas Mountains, overlooking the town of Calistoga, I am taken by the serene beauty of the place. On meeting its people, I understand why the wine has the sweet flavor of Amour; the third generation winemaking family that grows the grapes here pour their hearts into their craft.

It turns out that I didn’t have to resort to any sort of clever tactics to procure a pre-release quantity of this wine. Agent Red had called ahead to the winery to tell them to expect me. I was given a tour and a tasting and, within minutes, the winery had graciously offered us a handful of cases to share with our Operatives.

And so, dear Operative, my first mission, while not all that intriguing, ends with great success. I am very pleased to be able to bring you this fine wine today and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Cuvée, Out.

For those operatives that are interested, 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.

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

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

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