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Today’s special selection from Sol Rouge is only available to members of their wine club. Today only, a very limited allocation is being made available exclusively through The Wine Spies.

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Mission Codename: Finders Keepers

Operative: Agent White

Objective: Raid the winemaker’s keep at Sol Rouge and return with ‘The Keep’

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Sol Rouge

Wine Subject: 2006 ‘The Keep’ Red Rhone Blend

Winemaker: Bryan Kane & Jill Brothers

Backgrounder:

Its always a pleasure to feature the great wines form Sol Rouge. There focus on exceptional fruit, old-world technique and Terroir driven wine results in classic wines with a distinct California flair. Today’s selection is a blend of the best barrels of the 2006 vintage made in the style of the Southern-Rhone

The Southern Rhone Valley in France is famous for its Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Carignan and Cinsault based blends that dance on the palate with a range of flavors, richness and elegance. With the popularity and awareness of such wines, more and more California producers are trying their hand with proprietary Rhone style blends. While these blends do not have to adhere to the strict AOC restrictions, they do capture the style very well. Today’s selection is a lovely example.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Beautiful dark clear garnet with ruby red reflections in its dense but clear core. Along the edges, the color remains deep garnet and when swirled, this wine shows its springy surface tension and leaves slow fat legs on the side of the glass.

Smell – Bold and rich, this redolent wine has aromas of wild blueberry and other dark fleshy and tart bramble berries. Sweet floral notes and brown spices meld with mild oak and mocha.

Feel – Full-bodied and smooth, this dry wine is expansive on the palate, becoming almost chewy and meaty in character with firm tannins, balanced acidity and a touch of spice that lingers into the finish.

Taste – Ripe and fleshy dark berries with a hint of sour cherry layered over mocha and soft toasted oak. The brown spice and floral aromas from the nose make their appearance on the palate with the addition of a good dose of minerality.

Finish – Extremely long with lingering fruit, the finish of this wine invites another sip, and eventually another glass.

Conclusion – The 2006 Sol Rouge ’The Keep" is a lovely Syrah-based blend with fantastic rich fruit leading the way. Sentimental brown spices and mocha along with other complex flavors makes this wine both approachable and contemplative in nature. Enjoy this wine now (let breathe for 30-60 minutes) or cellar for many years to come.

Mission Report:

WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER

SUBJECT: Bryan Kane

WINE EDUCATION: I was a long time home winemaker and then joined up with the East Bay Winemaker’s Society where I met Ken Rosenblum and Thomas Coyne. I got some hands-on harvest training and winemaking mentoring with Scott Shatley, the assistant winemaker at Siduri. I continued to work with Scott at Copain and later at Roessler Cellars with Scott and his brother-in-law Walt Gurthrie where I then polished my Rhone-style winemaking.

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: Classic winemaking that utilizes old-world style and minimalistic winemaking techniques.

WINEMAKER QUOTE: “Wine is an individual experience meant to be shared with good friends”

FIRST COMMERCIAL WINE RELEASE: 2004 Sol Rouge Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

AGENT WHITE: Greetings, Bryan. We are thrilled to be showing your 2006 “The Keep” today. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.

BRYAN: My pleasure, its always fun to meet up at The Wine Spies safe-house. Can I take this hood off now?

WHITE: Sure, but if you don’t mind, we’re going to keep you in lockup as your reputation precedes you…. Was there a specific experience in your life that inspired your love of wine?

BRYAN: When I was 21 years old I at a restaurant in Michigan with a number of work associates we enjoyed the wine flight special. After the first sip, the wine took over the entire focus of our conversation that lasted long into the night. I love the way wine brings people together.

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

BRYAN: Michel Chapoutier from France’s Hermitage region

WHITE: Who do you make wine for?

BRYAN: I make wine for myself and also the vineyard owners. I always try to make wines that expresses the unique characteristics and Terroir of each vineyard.

WHITE: Please tell me a little bit about the wine we are featuring today.

BRYAN: Each year we select the two best barrels of the vintage. These two barrels become the base blend for our winemaker’s keep. Usually this wine is reserved for our wine club members, family and close friends. Today only we are making a few cases available for your operatives.

WHITE: What is your favorite pairing with today’s wine?

BRYAN: Since this is a bolder wine, I’d pair it with Moroccan spiced grilled lamb chops or kabobs.

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

BRYAN: Now that harvest is over and the wine is either in bottle or barrel I spend most of my time pouring at trade tastings to get as much exposure for the winery as possible.

WHITE: How would you recommend people approach your wines and this wine in general?

BRYAN: I made this wine to be balanced in structure and to evolve and mature in the bottle. You could certainly enjoy it now (keep, pun intended, a few bottles in the cellar for the future). It is still a young wine, so open the bottle and give it some time to breathe. Enjoy this wine as it evolves in the glass and opens up.

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