SUPERIOR WINE ALERT:

Today’s Zinfandel, from our pals at RustRidge, earns special recognition, today, as it rises above our already high standards for the wines that we hand-select for you.

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Mission Codename: Riding the Ridge

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Send Agent Red back to RustRidge Ranch and Winery, from our field agents have spied a fantastic red blend. If the wine is as good as our Operatives say it is, procure an ample quantity.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: RustRidge Winery

Wine Subject: 2006 Estate Zinfandel – Napa Valley – Chiles Valley

Winemaker: Susan Meyer

Backgrounder:The Chiles Valley AVA is a very distinctive grape growing region the northeastern part of the Napa Valley. It is a small, narrow and very steep growing region that sits between St. Helena to the west and Lake Berryessa to the east. The region warm climate and well drained soils provide great growing conditions for Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes for today’s Gold Medal-winning wine was grown at 1000 feet above the valley floor.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Deep ruby red with perfect clarity, right through its slightly darkening core. At the rim of the glass, a gorgeous pink band runs the circumference. Swirl the wine, and marvel at the bouncy surface that settles quickly, leaving behind tall columns of wine-stained tears.

Smell – Strawberry jam, blackberry and ripe black cherry. Then, earthy briarpatch, clove, cinnamon and soft cedar mingle with light vanilla and a hint of toasted oak.

Feel – Initially round at the tip of the tongue, then quickly grippy, as ripe tannins take hold at the front of the palate, before spreading a mineral-driven dryness all around the mouth.

Taste – Bold and jammy with outrageous jammy blackberry, black cherry, blueberry and young strawberry. As the tannins take hold, mixed brown baking spices and pepper appear, along with a wonderful dark mineral flavor that appears as the wine adds its supple dryness.

Finish – Ultra-long and divinely fruit-driven, this wine transitions easily from its bold mixed berry fruit, to its mild spice, pepper and dry minerals at the tail end.

Conclusion – Once again, RustRidge knocks our socks off! This time around, with a Zinfandel that is unlike any other Napa Valley Zin we have tasted. Perhaps what we are experiencing here, besides just great fruit and skillful winemaking, is the unique Terroir of the Chiles Valley. This warm-climate appellation is reported to have the right soils and exposure for great Zin and Cabernet. This is confirmed by today’s wine, which drinks more like a more extracted Zinfandel from the Paso Robles region, where the sun drives Zinfandel or perfect ripeness. This 2006 Estate Zinfandel from our friends at RustRidge is bold and delicious, but well-balanced and restrained enough to enjoy with a hearty meal. We’re having our with grilled steaks tonight!

Mission Report:

WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER

SUBJECT: Susan Meyer

WINE EDUCATION: On the job while I took on RustRidge from Merry Edwards and Ken Rosemblum

CALIFORNIA WINE JOB BRIEF: Always here at RustRidge

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: Handle the grapes as little as possible and let the fruit shine through the wine.

WINEMAKER QUOTE: “Wine with the spirit of a thoroughbred.”

FIRST COMMERCIAL WINE RELEASE: 1992

WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

AGENT RED: Greetings, Susan. We are thrilled to be showing your delicious 2005 Racehorse Red today. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.

SUSAN MEYER: Hello to you – Agent Red.

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

SUSAN: Wine has always been a part of my life and RustRidge specifically since 1972

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

SUSAN: Kent Rosemblum

RED: Who do you make wine for?

SUSAN: The people – our fans

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

SUSAN: This is an intense, fruit-forward Zinfandel with structure. I wanted the grapes to speak for themselves, so there was little intervention in the winemaking process.

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

SUSAN: A hearty stew. We recently paired the wine with a beef stew slow cooked for 8 hours with tomatoes, red wine, New Mexico chilies and garlic.

RED: In your opinion, what makes the Napa Valley sub-appellation of Chiles Valley so special?

SUSAN: This is a distinct microclimate that isolated from traffic and other pollutants. Our vines thrive here with the right amount of winter rain, summer sun, cool evenings and healthy soil.

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

SUSAN: I’m topping up barrels and getting ready to bottle some new wines.

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

SUSAN: With good company, good food and a warm heart.

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

SUSAN: The real passion here at RustRidge begins in our vineyards: by committing to both dry and organic farming, we’re allowing the most honest and true characteristics to shine through in each of our wines from the Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnays to varietal Cabernet Sauvignons and Zinfandels.

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 approximate location of the RustRidge Ranch and Winery can be seen in this satellite photo.