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Mission Codename: The Coastal Fog

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Uncover the truth behind the greatness of Lynmar Estate’s 2006 Pinot Noir. Infiltrate the winery and capture an ample allocation of cases for our Pinot-loving Operatives

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Lynmar Estate

Wine Subject: 2006 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

Winemaker: Hugh Chappelle

Winery Backgrounder: The Russian River Valley in Sonoma is particularly well suited to producing exceptional Pinot Noir. This AVA was officially designated in 1983, but many of the wines in the region used the designation as early as the 1970s (early in California’s wine history) with the many of the vines having been first planted in the early 1900s. In today’s wine, Lynmar Estate presents their own delicious take on Russian River Valley Pinot Noir by delivering a wine of bold and delicious character. Read Agent Red’s mission report and tasting noted below for the full intel on this very exciting wine

Read Agent Red’s mission report below.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – This beautiful-looking wine has the appearance of bright red cherry juice with perfectly concentrated color out to the edges, and perfect clarity through its slightly darker heart. When swirled, the surface of the wine appears ultra-tight and it settles fast, leaving tightly-packed clusters of chubby legs that start high upon the inside of the glass

Smell – On opening, this wine exudes a big rush of bright cherry, strawberry, raspberry and red currant. These are followed by complex earthen notes with brown spice, leather, dark plum and soft dried meat

Feel – Lush and round on entry. Then, after a moment, this wine becomes more full and complex as medium tannins take hold at the edges of the tongue, drying the palate and inside the cheeks and lips

Taste – Bold and balanced, with cleanly fresh-fruit flavors of tart cherry and young strawberry. These flavors are easily entwined with more complex flavors of smoky red plum, dried flowers and earthy minerals and soft cedar

Finish – Ultra long and ultra lush, this wine begins with a tart dryness, then goes dark and dusky with earthen flavors and minerals of slate and spice ofclove and soft cinnamon

Conclusion – Big and delicious, with with flavors that boldly extol the virtues of the Russian River Valley, the Lynmar vineyards and the prowess of winemaker, Hugh Chappelle. The region, the vineyards and the man all come together to contribute to this complex and interesting Pinot Noir, in a way that makes of take keen notice. With a complexity that makes the wine a terrific conversation piece, and a balance that make it not just about its complexity, this wine is as versatile as it is delicious. I enjoyed my sample bottle with a fresh spinach salad with a very garlicky dijon-balsamic and olive oil dressing. I was initially worried that the robust dressing would overpower the wine, but it held up beautifully. In fact, the wine acted as an enhancement to the dressing, cutting through some of the more intense flavors of the dressing and returning my palate to balanced. Decant for best results. Enjoy now or cellar through 2012.

Mission Report:

WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER_

SUBJECT: Hugh Chappelle

DATE OF BIRTH: June, 1962

PLACE OF BIRTH: Mountain View, CA

WINE EDUCATION: UC Davis

CALIFORNIA WINE JOB BRIEF: Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Chalk Hill, Madrona Vineyards, Flowers Vineyard & Winery, Lynmar Estate

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: Balance and Expression of Site

SIGNATURE VARIETAL: Pinot Noir

CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Having the opportunity to re-plant Lynmar’s Quail Hill Vineyard with an ideal mix of clones as well as having a hand in the design and outfitting of our new gravity flow winery.

WINEMAKER QUOTE: I am proud to continue the Lynmar tradition of impeccably balanced wines that enhance food, age gracefully, and exhibit uncommon grace and elegance.

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WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

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

HUGH: It is my pleasure.

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

HUGH: Yes, first growing up in a household where wine was part of daily life. My mother is from the Mosel in Germany and there was always a bottle of Riesling in the refrigerator. Second, was answering a “Help Wanted” ad in Student Employment while at UC Santa Cruz and ending up at a small micro-winery up in the Santa Cruz Mountains. As chemistry major at the time I thought it very cool to apply my science background in such a creative way. That first exposure catalyzed my later career change from Biotech to winemaking.

RED: And where did you learn the most about winemaking?

HUGH: Even though I went through graduate studies at UC Davis and have nothing but the highest respect for their program, the bottom line is that I learned the most about winemaking while on the job.

RED: What is your winemaking style or philosophy?

HUGH: If it could be summed up in word it would be “Balance”. I also place a huge importance on doing as much work in the vineyard as possible so that the winemaking is as natural and straightforward as possible. Balanced wines can be either big and bold, or light and delicate, but they both share the quality of everything being in just the right proportions.

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

HUGH: Outside of studying, and drinking, the great classic wines of the world, I would say my short time at Chalk Hill Winery when Dave Ramey was winemaker was a very formative experience. While I went there to gain experience with native/wild yeast fermentations, Dave’s methodical approach to every detail of winemaking, willingness to take risks, and emphasis on wine texture continue to impact my winemaking today.

RED: How long have you been making wine?

HUGH: Full time since 1989, part-time from 1982-1986.

RED: Who do you make wine for?

WINEMAKER: Obviously, being employed by another winery requires that, at times, I put personal preferences aside and respect house styles, market realities, and other practical aspects of making wine for a living…..and a profit. However, I have been lucky to be at wineries where the owners/proprietors give a fairly free hand to their winemaker. I have always been honored by that trust and responsibility and never take it for granted.

RED: Tell me, what makes the Russian River Valley so special?

HUGH: What makes the Russian River so special is our juxtaposition to three Key geographic features: the Pacific Ocean, the Petaluma Wind Gap, and the Russian River itself. In addition, Lynmar’s estate vineyards are further influenced by our proximity to the Laguna de Santa Rosa, one of the largest fresh water wetlands in Northern California. These climatic factors, along with low-moderate vigor well-drained soils give us one of the most perfect environments to grow great Pinot Noir anywhere in the world.

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

HUGH: Get practical experience from wineries making the kinds of wines you like, or work at several different kinds of wineries of different sizes making different varieties to see what really resonates with you. While formal schooling is great, and arguably opens more doors, especially at larger wineries, the quality of your work experience is the most important thing for wineries like Lynmar or Flowers.

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

HUGH: HARVEST!!

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

HUGH: While you can eat off the floor of our cellar because we keep everything so clean, my office is a bit….”cluttered”. This is a bit of company joke, but what can I say?

RED:What is your favorite ‘everyday’ or table wine?

HUGH: For everyday reds I tend to drink Italian. Barbera’s, Dolcetto’s, and Chianti Classico’s simply cannot be beat for the quality to price ratio…..and they go superbly with a wide range of foods…..especially the Italian foods my girlfriend tends to like to cook. For white I gravitate to Chablis, crisp steely Macon’s, Sancerre, and….of course Riesling.

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

HUGH: Trust your own taste! I continue to be amazed that people simply don’t drink what they like and often need confirmation of what they should be drinking. I think it remains a legitimate challenge for our industry to continue demystifying wine without taking away what makes it so special.

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

HUGH: A great Musigny or Chambolle Musigny from a top domaine in a great vintage….of course out of magnum!

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

HUGH: Question: So it sounds like your girlfriend’s a cook? Answer: We have to leave something as a mystery.

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!

HUGH: Thanks a lot. Take care!

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the gorgeous Lynmar Estate Winery can be seen in this satellite photo.