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Mission Codename: Mature Beyond its Age

Operative: Agent White

Objective: Secure a limited allocation of the delicious and value oriented Jacuzzi Primitivo

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Jacuzzi Family Vineyards

Wine Subject: 2006 Primitivo

Winemaker: Charlie Tsegeletos

Backgrounder:

Primitivo, a native grape of southern Italy can trace its earliest heritage back to ancient Greece. Genetically, it is nearly identical to Zinfandel with Zin having the identical DNA as the clone of Primitivo found in and around Puglia Italy. Primitivo gets its name from the monks who tended this varietal as they noticed it was one of the first to ripen amongst their vines. Known for its rich and vibrant color, aromas and flavors of zesty cherry and spice, Primitivo is best enjoyed young (within five or so years of bottling), however this wine can and does improve with cellaring as well.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Bright garnet in color with ruby-red reflections through its brilliant clear core. Along the edges, the color fades to a ruby-pink and when swirled, clusters of alternating fast and slow thin legs ring the glass.

Smell – Medium in intensity with aromas of sweet and ripe red fruit and fragrant floral notes. A touch of dusty earth, tar and spice as well as a distinct mocha coffee aroma emerge as this wine opens up and breathes.

Feel – Rich and plush, this medium-to-full bodied wine has sweet medium-firm tannins and slightly tangy acidity that adds a freshness to the smooth structure.

Taste – Focused flavors of dusty red cherry along with other bramble fruits including wild raspberry, blackberry and strawberry. A pleasant and soft oak component, a touch of earthiness and mild cayenne and clove spice round out the vibrant and fresh flavors of this wine.

Finish – Medium long in length with lingering flavors of spice and fruit that are supported by its fresh and youthful structure.

Conclusion – The 2006 Jacuzzi Family Vineyards Primitivo is a delicious and fun wine that will appeal to anyone who loves Zinfandel. This wine has a more fresh and youthful appeal to it as opposed to the denser, and often times, over extracted Zinfandel at comparable price. Enjoy this wine with everything on your next pizza night, or with bold and spicy southern Italian cuisine, either way you win with the delicious wine.

Mission Report:

WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER

SUBJECT: Charles G. Tsegeletos

DATE OF BIRTH: 1956 AD

PLACE OF BIRTH: The county of Marin in Northern California

WINE EDUCATION: University of California at Davis degree but really educated by the myriad of great and sharing winemakers that I have known.

CALIFORNIA WINE JOB BRIEF: now: Cline and Jacuzzi Director of Winemaking; then:Glen Ellen Director of Winemaking, D’Agostini Winemaker; Hacienda Assistant Winemaker; Pendleton Apprentice Winemaker

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: Make balanced wine that is delicious

SIGNATURE VARIETAL: Zinfandel (Primitivo)

CAREER HIGHLIGHT: The 2007 Cline Ancient Vine Mourvedre is one seriously tasty wine.

WINEMAKER QUOTE: ”You just know when you have made a great wine because your wife will like it too.”

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WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

AGENT RED: Greetings, Charles. We are thrilled to be showing your Primitivo today. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.

CHARLIE: Thanks for having me. And, please, call me Charlie

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

CHARLIE: A 1975 Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon at a tasting I attended after college rocked my world.

RED And where did you learn the most about winemaking?

CHARLIE: Over the years I have had a chance to work with a number of experienced and sharing winemakers. Each winemaker has a tool box for creating wines. I kept the tools that worked for me and discarded the ones that I considered marketing fluff or did not deliver enough bang-for-the buck.

RED: What is your winemaking style or philosophy?

CHARLIE: The grapes will lead you in the direction of wine that they want to become but a winemaker chooses the style – in other words a big flavorful red grape can make a big flavorful red wine but it can also make a delicate rose depending on it’s treatment in the winery.

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

CHARLIE: There have been a bunch of them but one that sticks out is Joel Aiken who was the Beaulieu Winemaker for many years asked me what blend I was working on was suppose to taste like and it really made me reconsider that each wine should have a unique signature and, as winemaker, I had better have an idea of what it was!

RED: How long have you been making wine?

CHARLIE: 29 years

RED: Who do you make wine for?

CHARLIE: I make wine for our consumers which happens to be just like the wine that I like to drink.

RED: Tell me, what makes Oakley such a special winegrowing region?

CHARLIE: Deep sand and warm temperatures in Oakley have kept our ancient Zinfandel, Carignane and Mourvedre alive despite that pesky root louse. Cool temperatures in Sonoma challenge our Syrah and Mourvedre to ripen and give us great “cool grown” flavors.

RED: What is one piece of advice that you would give to someone that is considering a career as a winemaker?

CHARLIE: Go to a leading university, become a good salesman, become a good mechanic – I think these things are important in succeeding in today’s market.

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

CHARLIE: Everything as usual – I am working on blends, we are bottling, we are talking to growers, we are in our vineyards, etc etc….

RED: Please share one thing about yourself that few people know

CHARLIE: I have loved motorcycles since my parents would not let me have a mini-bike when I was twelve. I have not been without one since I was 15 years old.

RED: How would you recommend that people approach your wines, or wine in general?

CHARLIE: If you think about what you are drinking you will be going a long way toward appreciating it.

RED: If you could choose any one wine to drink (regardless of price or availability), what would it be?

CHARLIE: Right now a cold glass of Dom would be good.

RED: What is the one question that I should have asked you, and what is your answer to that question?

CHARLIE: Do our wines compare favorable to a wine that cost 75 bucks a bottle? Put them both in a brown bag, taste them side by side and decide for yourself!

RED: Thank you so much for your time. We learned a lot about you – and about your wine. Keep up the great work, we are big fans!

CHARLIE: Cheers and good luck with your business

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the Jacuzzi Family Vineyards can be seen in this satellite photo.