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Mission Codename: The Big Ancient

Operative: Agent White

Objective: Revisit Trinitas Cellars and investigate their Ancient Vines Zinfandel

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Trinitas Cellars

Wine Subject: 2004 Bigalow Ancient Vines Zinfandel

Winemaker: Kevin Mills

Backgrounder:

Zinfandel is often aptly named California’s grape. Its history and lore and the wines that result are often the makings of legend. In this case, Trinitas’ winemaker selected the best old-vine grapes from the historic Bigalow Vineyards in California’s Contra Costa County that was planted 120 years ago. Contra Costa is technically considered part of California’s Central Coast region and is located east of Oakland and north of Livermore.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Deep and dense burgundy and plum in color that when held to the light shows ruby reflections through its clear but dark core. Along the edges the color remains dense lightening just slightly to a garnet-purple. When swirled, fast but fat legs that show hints of this wine’s color descend to the springy wine below

Smell – Medium bold and aromatic in character with spicy and dusty red fruit (raspberry and red cherry) leading off over a classic base of spicy pepper; toasted oak and cedar; and bramble herbal earthiness. As this wine opens hints of mocha coffee and tobacco mix well with the fruit, spice and oak.

Feel – This medium-to-full-bodied and dry wine is initially cool and smooth then at mid-palate the firm but fine-grained and textured tannins spread across the tongue. Good spice and balanced acidity provide an excellent structure that holds this wines flavors through to the finish. Given time, the tannins soften.

Taste – Focused with ripe and tart flavors of red raspberry, red cherry and plum with a spicy white pepper kick. The dusty earthiness combined with the textured tannins creates at great feel-flavor combination that is unique to old-vine Zinfandel. Combine that with oaky vanilla, herbal bramble, dark chocolate, spice, coffee and tobacco and you’ve got a very expressive wine.

Finish – Medium long in length with fruit, spice and other complex flavors framed by this wine’s well structured and rich tannins.

Conclusion – Old Vine Zinfandel is always a treat – its like drinking California’s wine-making heritage. The 2004 Trinitas Bigalow Ancient Vines Zinfandel is just that kind of wine. Bold and rich with real depth and character. A classic nose and flavor profile held together by a nice textured structure and you’ve got a wine that really delivers. Enjoy this wine right now or cellar for up to 5 years.

Mission Report:

Below is a recap of Agent Red’s original mission when he first visited Trinitas Cellars:

Located at the southern end of the Napa Valley, nestled behind the Meritage Resort & Spa and buried in and underground cave, lies a remarkable secret: Trinitas Cellars.

Trinitas first came to my attention while on stakeout during a prior mission. I was on a vetting mission and was keeping an eye on a potential new asset. If this person proved to have the connections that she was reported to, I’d be recruiting her by days end.

I had followed her to the Meritage Resort, when she was having what looked to be a poolside meeting with a group I recognized as some heavy-hitters in the biz. These guys are all business and so I knew that my target must have the chops that her dossier suggested.

A waitress offered me a menu but I politely waved it away. Instead, I simply asked her for a glass of their best house Pinot Noir.

The wine arrived. The waitress set it down on the table in front of me. I handed her a $20 and told her to keep the change. I sat and watched my target for some time before finally picking up the wine.

I inhaled deeply – and the hairs on my neck stood up. This, I could tell, was one excellent wine! I spent the next several minutes enraptured by the wine. It was a young wine, I could tell, but it was very impressive.

When I finally looked up, my target was gone! How could I let myself be so distracted? On scanning the area, my eyes came to rest on an anomaly in the landscape; The hill that sat behind me, over my right shoulder, was obviously manmade. I had seen enough ‘hills’ like this to know that it was a wine cave!

I got to my feet and dashed toward the hill. Cleverly concealed as it might have been, I quickly found the entrance. Once inside I made my way through the cavern, eventually finding – a full tasting room!

And there, at the bar, was my target and her cohorts.

The woman behind the bar beamed at me and said, “Welcome to Trinitas Cellars!”

Trinitas, eh? This requires deeper investigation…

Agent Red, out!

Agent White, reporting:

Is Agent Red losing it? Does he need glasses? The sign above the wine cave clearly reads, “Trinitas Cellars”. At least he returned to HQ with samples of that Pinot Noir. The Pinot, of course, turned out to be a 2007 Carneros Pinot Noir from Trinitas – and today we are proud to present you with an opportunity to try this special wine for yourself.

As for Agent Red and his mission worthiness, we are recommending that he be placed under closer scrutiny. His wine-finding skills are still top-notch, but his methods and his reports leave just a tad to be desired!

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the Trinitas Callears cave tasting room and winery can be seen, behind the Meritage Resport & Spa, in this satellite photo.