SUPERIOR WINE ALERT:

Today’s Chardonnay gets this special alert – because its just that good! Be sure to decant this wine, and don’t drink too cold. Enjoy between chiller temp and room temp, and you’ll be generously rewarded!

SECRET SAVINGS ALERT:

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Mission Codename: The Deep White Sea

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Infiltrate Conway Family Wines, secure an ample allocation of their exceptional Deep Sea Central Coast Chardonnay for our Operatives

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Conway Family Wines

Wine Subject: 2008 Chardonnay – Central Coast

Winemaker: Andrew Adam and Jonathan Medard

Backgrounder: California’s Central Coast region, and specifically Santa Barbara and San Luis Obisbo County has become one of the state’s premier regions for Chardonnay. The generally warmer climate, moderated by the coastal fog, its sandy and clay loam soil, and broad exposure results in Chardonnay of exceptional character.Today’s Chardonnay is truly representative of the the best that region has to offer

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – A beautiful and glistening pale golden, this wine maintains its color out to the edges of the glass. With a springy surface that settles quickly, this wine leaves behind tight clusters of skinny legs that are slow to emerge before they crawl down the glass

Smell – On opening, this wine delivers a sweet rush of Meyer lemon and zest. These are followed closely by of aromas of pear, green apple and soft citrus flower. After some swirling, the wine opens up to reveal an under-layer of yeasty bread dough, vanilla candy, soft cinnamon, fig, sweet oak with flinty minerals

Feel – Plush, soft and round, this wine glides across the mid-palate where it settles in as fine tannins add a bit of dryness and complexity

Taste – Complex, delicious and well balanced with bright fruit that mirrors the nose. These are set against more serious Burgundian style flavors with earthy apple skin, flint, toasty oak, vanillan and soft spice

Finish – This wine finishes long, plush, zesty and flavorful with clean and long-lingering flavors that are supported by great acidity and mineral components

Conclusion – To get the maximum enjoyment from this great wine, please be sure to decant for at least 30 minutes prior to drinking, and, do not drink the wine too cold. This is a wine that is best enjoyed somewhere between cooler temperature and room temperature. With a great nose and deep flavors, this is a complex and very delicious wine that has us taking keen notice of Conway. Enjoy this wine with almost any meal. We enjoyed our sample bottles with a baby arugula salad, green beans and baked potatoes. Absolutely perfect! Be sure to stock up for your holiday gatherings. Cheers!

Mission Report:

Intel Briefing, Conway Family Wines, Arroyo Grande, CA:

• Specializes in crafting the selection of wines, focusing on creative blends and single varietals, inclusive of Rhône varieties, chardonnay and zinfandel.

• The winemaking philosophy is to protect the integrity of the grapes bringing the fruit’s intrinsic qualities to full expression in the wine. We also strive to capture the specific terroir for each varietal in the final wine, from the ranch estate to the maritime appellations throughout California.

• Winemaker Andrew Adam specializes in Rhône style wines and had been making wine on the Central Coast for ten years.

• Winemaker Jonathan Medard originally from Épernay, France, offers his European expertise in Burgundy and Bordeaux varieties.

• Enologist Adrienne St John gained her experience growing up in a winemaking family and managing laboratories in California, conducting daily analysis of wines.

• Cellar Master Daniel Placencia supports the daily activities of production.

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of Conway Family Wines can be seen in this satellite photo.