QPR ALERT:

Today’s selection from Voces Wines is a soft and elegant Cabernet Sauvignon. At today’s one-day-only price – itself a high QPR (Quality to Price Ratio) proposition – it is a true steal

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Mission Codename: The True Voice

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Infiltrate Voces Wine of Napa Valley, and secure their fabled 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Voces Wines

Wine Subject: 2005 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker: Fernando Candelario

Backgrounder: Some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon in the world come from Napa Valley. A delicious and elegant example of the varietal, today’s wine is a Classic Napa Cabernet. Approachable, richly flavorful and deeply delicious, this wine shows off the winemaking skills of Fernando Candelario – at a price that is difficult to resist. Read Agent Red’s tasting notes and mission report to learn more about this fantastic Napa Cab

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – With the bold color of dark red plum skin, this wine has a dark and slightly inky core and light burgundy hues at the edges of the glass. When swirled, the wine shows a softly bouncy surface that leaves behind chubby, wine-stained legs that march steadily down the glass.

Smell – Dark and richly layered, with big blackberry right at the front. This mixes with dark cherry, black plum, red plum and cassis. Under these are subtle aromas of cedar, clove and a hint of eucalyptus.

Feel – Medium-bold in intensity, with a lush up-front feel. Soft tannins add a crushed velvet feel that slowly adds a soft dryness that spreads inward from the edges of the palate.

Taste – Sweet blackberry, black cherry and plum initially, yielding to tart cranberry, mixed dark spices and soft white pepper.

Finish – Mouthwatering and bright, this wine moves from sweet and fruity to softly tart. The wine finishes medium-long and clean, with integrated flavors that linger, eventually ending with a soft white pepper spice.

Conclusion – This is a delightful wine that delivers elegance and depth – from the first sip to last. The wine evolves as you spend time with it, so swirl and give it time to open up. Your patience will reward you with better depth, more authentic fruit flavors and deeper aromas emerge. Winemaker, Fernando Candelario, shows off his experience and care with today’s selection, offering up a wine that is a delight to drink and discuss. Pair this flexible wine with your favorite fowl or red meat dishes – or all on its own. Cheers!

Mission Report:

WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER

SUBJECT: Fernando Candelario

CALIFORNIA WINE JOB BRIEF: I began my wine industry career at Mondavi winery, where I spent 8 years, working with the wine in the cellar and I was also in charge of bottling their wines. In April 2001 Greg Brown at T-Vine hired me as his cellar master. This is when I was able to be focused more on making exquisite wine rather than day to day cellar tasks.

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: My philosophy is simple, I make fruit forward wines that are pleasing to the palate, using natural winemaking processes and not interfering too much with what the vineyard has given me.

WINEMAKER QUOTE: The balance of nature is the touchstone of the soil, fruit and my love of winemaking.

FIRST COMMERCIAL WINE RELEASE: My first vintage was 2002 Voces Cabernet Sauvignon and it was released in 2004.

WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

AGENT RED: Greetings, Fernando. We are really happt to be showing your 2005 Voces Cabernet Sauvignon today. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.

FERNANDO CANDELARIO: Hello, Agent Red. Thank you for the opportunity to talk about my wine.

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

FERNANDO: Yes, my family introduced me to wine. When I was young my parents did field work , it was part of our life and they worked very hard to help produce something that so many people enjoyed. I wanted to know what that was, and why. When I discovered wine I knew I wanted to make it. I wanted to be a part of the process.

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

FERNANDO: Greg Brown, was my maestro. He taught me how to make wine. From the vineyard to the bottle and everything in between. He showed me the magic in the process and how doing it with love would provide the best results. It’s not a job, it’s an integral part of my life.

RED: Who do you make wine for?

WINEMAKER: Everyone has a different palate. I make the kind of wines I like to drink. I think there are a lot of consumers that enjoy my wine making style and I continue to strive to keep the wine consistent, that pleases both.

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

FERNANDO: The 2005 Cabernet, came from a vineyard in St Helena on the East side of Sattui winery. The vines were 12 – 15 years old. The fruit tasted incredible the day we picked and I am very happy about the wine it became. I aged the wine in a mix of French and American oak , about 40% new oak used. The wine is rich ripe and fruity with nicely balanced tannins. Black and red fruits on the nose, with a little sweet spice and a touch of coffee to the finish.

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

FERNANDO: Lamb is my favorite and i think it’s a perfect match, right off the grill…

RED: In your opinion, what makes the Napa Valley so special?

FERNANDO: This is the Napa Valley, it’s world renowned! Everyone recognizes the quality of fruit that comes from this area, and of course it’s known for producing incredible Cabernet. It’s an honor to have such great vineyards at my fingertips. Start with incredible grapes and your likely to get some pretty good wine!

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

FERNANDO: I make wine for T-Vine and I spend much of my time concentrating on that project. My wine is in another facility, and it’s like going to church. I visit it often, check in and give thanks.

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

FERNANDO: Drink them now. They are juicy and yummy. You can certainly cellar them for at least 10 years , if you can keep your hands off of them.

RED: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

FERNANDO: I make wine for enjoyment, opening each bottle is a special moment. Enjoy it with someone you love.

RED: 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!

WINEMAKER: Thank you.

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The approximate location of the vineyards where today’s wine was born can be seen in this satellite photo.