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What We Say 2007 Pinot Noir
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Mission Codename: Some Gems Don’t Sparkle?
Operative: Agent White
Objective: Investigate Mumm Napa Valley’s non-sparkling wines.
Mission Status: Accomplished!
Current Winery: Mumm Napa Valley
Wine Subject: 2007 Pinot Noir – Carneros Devaux Vineyard
Winemaker: Ludovic Dervin
Backgrounder:
Carneros Pinot Noir is revered for its quality, elegance and smoothness. The Carneros viticultural area, a wine growing region which straddles the Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley, has been a great source of wine that we have featured here. Always, those wine have been of supreme quality. The cool Carneros region provides ideal growing conditions for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, both literally thrives there. Mumm Napa Valley’s Pinot Noir is truly representative of the region’s exceptional wines.
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – Deep ruby red with bright ruby highlights that accentuate this wines bright clear core. Along the edges, ruby evenly fades to pink and medium thick fast tears streak down the side of the glass when swirled.
Smell – Classic and complex aromas of both tart and ripe red cherry and raspberry that are impeccably layered over subtle vanilla, floral violets, herbal fennel and a touch of smoke and earth. All of this is framed by a mild cedar box component.
Feel – This lovely medium bodied wine is smooth and dry with plush medium soft tannins and a touch of acidity that impeccably supports the fruit of this wine.
Taste – Rounded and balanced flavors of red cherry and other ripe and tart red fruit are well integrated with complex notes of cedar box, a touch of earth and hints of spice, gun smoke and the floral and herbal flavors first noticed on the nose.
Finish – This wine finishes clean and of medium length with lingering flavors of red fruit, cedar and a touch of earthiness.
Conclusion – After tasting the winery exclusive 2007 Mumm Napa Valley Pinot Noir we now know why it is so loved at their tasting room. Classic Carneros Pinot aromas and flavors and a structure that shows tremendous finesse and elegance, this wine is simply a pleasure to drink. Perfect for food pairing or even just sipping by itself. If you enjoy Carneros Pinot then you will love this wine.
Mission Report:
Below is a recap of Agent Sparkle’s recent mission with Mumm Napa Valley:
It was a high level meeting of all of our overseas operatives. HQ wanted to have a rare face-to-face. We needed to get on the same page and refocus our efforts. I, Agent Sparkle, was tasked with arranging the summit.
Choosing the location was easy; I just had to get us all to the Monterey safe-house. Agents from around the world arrived. It was good to see Agent Baco Noir in the flesh, in her signature Italian pumps. Agent J played pilot to Agent Terroir and Agent White, flying them both in in her Citation X. They had come all the way from France for the meeting (stay tuned for the results of that ongoing mission). Agent Red arrived a little late but, as a founder of The Wine Spies, he can get away with it.
Agent Grenache, the heavy-lifter of the group, fresh cleaning up our latest logistical nightmare, was in attendance. So, too, were Agent Neutron and Agent Orange (our hipster Paso Robles Operatives), Agent Noir (Monterey), and Agent Smith (you read about him in Agent Red’s mission report of yesterday). Also in attendance were a select group our Agent’s field assets, moles, and confidential informants.
The meeting room was packed. So was the agenda: There were extended tastings to conduct, technical analysis, sessions on trade-craft, research on trends and perhaps most importantly, the latest harvest reports.
It was a long and grueling day and thankfully Agent Red arranged a great after-conference BBQ, Aussie style, in my honor. He arranged the dinner, but I had arranged the refreshment of the evening, a beautiful sparkling wine from my newest friends, Mumm Napa.
Mumm Napa’s Reserve Brut became an instant favorite from the moment I first placed the winery under surveillance. It took some skillful subterfuge to procure enough to serve at our gathering – and to keep enough for our well-deserving Operatives for today’s offering. We’re sorry that you weren’t able to attend our conference, but I am sure that today’s superb bubbly is consolation enough.
The day behind us, the BBQ was in full swing. We were having a great time, and I just love the fall along the California coast. It was the perfect way to finish the days activities, watching the sun set into the mighty Pacific – with a glass of Champagne in hand.
Agent Terroir raised his glass and said, “A mes amis et à un grand avenir!, A votre sante!”. He took a sip and smiled at Agent Sparkle with a glowing look of approval. Sparkle just smiled back and whispered to Red, “Mumm’s the word.”
Wine Spies Vineyard Check:
The location of the Mumm Napa Valley can be seen in this satellite photo.
What the Winery Says
Mumm Napa Valley
Mumm Napa Valley, Member, Napa Valley Vintners
About This Wine:
Year after year, this winery-exclusive Pinot Noir release remains a constant favorite in our Tasting Room. Sourced from our Carneros Devaux Vineyard, the 2007 Pinot Noir is a well layered and complex wine with a balanced, lingering finish of cranberry, red plum, black truffle and cedar wood. We recommend pairing with Emmenthal, aged goat cheese such as Bucheron, wild mushroom risotto or roasted chicken.
About The Winery:
The Wine Enthusiast Magazine calls Mumm Napa one of “America’s Best Tasting Rooms. How do you decide where to end the day in Napa Valley? Go to Mumm.”
Enjoy table service outside on the terrace, or taste in our glass-enclosed tasting salon – each offering stunning views of the surrounding Rutherford vineyards.
While you are here, take a guided tour of the winery, stroll through our Fine Art Photography Gallery or browse for exclusive Napa Valley items in our wine shop. Any way you look at it, a visit to Mumm Napa is the highlight of your Napa Valley experience.
About The Winemaker:
Winemaker Ludovic Dervin – In Summer 2002, Ludovic Dervin was named Winemaker at Mumm Napa. Ludo brings to the position extensive experience in both sparkling and still wine production, along with an exceptional working relationship with V.P. Winemaking and Operations Napa Valley, Rob McNeill.
Boasting a thorough understanding of méthode champenoise production, Dervin completed his winemaking studies in his native Champagne, France, His skills were then refined during several harvests with the prestigious Champagne houses Charles Heidseick and G.H. Mumm, as well as California’s Piper Sonoma, where he first worked with Rob McNeill. Prior to joining Mumm Napa, Ludo polished his non-bubbly winemaking skills at the world-renowned Russian River wineries, Hartford Court and Gary Farrell.
