EXCEPTIONAL WINE ALERT:

Wow. Wow. Wow! ’nuff said!!

SECRET SAVINGS ALERT:

Subscribe to our Daily Dispatch (above) and you’ll always know what our Top Secret coupon code of the day is. Every day we issue a new members-only code that entitles you to have Ground Shipping included on orders of six or more bottles and, sometimes, an added discount!

Mission Codename: Winesong

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Return to Ceja Vineyards and procure an allotment of their exceptional 2007 Carneros Cabernet Sauvignon for our Operatives

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Ceja Vineyards

Wine Subject: 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker: Armando Ceja

Backgrounder: Napa Valley is revered worldwide as the ultimate area in which to produce fine Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2007 vintage has produced some remarkable examples and we were lucky to get our spy-hands on today’s fine offering from dear friends at Ceja Vineyards. Read Agent Red’s tasting notes and winemaker interview, below.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Very dark magenta, with a darker core. At the edge, the finest ring of bright ruby encircles the glass. When swirled, tightly-spaced clusters of slow, skinny tears extend from near the top of the glass, to the wine, below.

Smell – Bold and dark, with fruit and earthen characteristics playing out in equal proportion. Redolent and dense boysenberry, black cherry, blackberry and candied blueberry mix with dark brown spice, dark dried fall leaves, dried wild mushroom, oak and dark chocolate.

Feel – Round and silky on entry. Then, almost immediately, a mineral-laden dryness spreads from the front-palate, rearward. The gradually becomes more weighty and more complex, eventually showing a hearty structure. Sturdy tannins and a balanced acidity work together to drive the fruit, long into the flavor-filled finish.

Taste – Dense and concentrated, with dark fruit making a boldly delicious appearance. Blackberry, black plum, boysenberry and blueberry up first. These are followed by warm black cherry, cassis and subtle black raisin. These fruits then slowly transition to spice, brown spice, black pepper and toasty, spiced oak.

Finish – Extremely long with the dark berries lingering for a very long time. These then yield to red fruit – which transforms to spice and earthy toasted oak and black pepper.

Conclusion – The 2007 Ceja Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon is a fantastic wine. We loved the 2006, but this wine is far more to our liking, with bold, dark fruit that really drives the wine. Aromatics are through the roof, and the finish is seemingly endless. With great structure and a well-balanced acidity, this wine makes for easy pairing with your favorite hearty meal. We think that it would be just perfect with a seared rib-eye. Drinking beautifully, right now, this wine will continue to improve for many more years. Stock up for the holidays!

Mission Report:

With harvest underway, it can sometimes be difficult to wrangle our winemakers for a sit-down. Be sure to check back for our full interview, the next time we feature another exceptional Ceja wine.

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the Ceja Vineyards winery in the Carneros AVA can be seen in this satellite photo.