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Mission Codename: Summers time in Napa

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Send Agent Red back to Summers Estate Wines to secure an allocation of their award-winning Andriana’s Cuvee.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Summers Estate Wines

Wine Subject: 2007 Andriana’s Cuvee Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker: Ignacio Blancas

Backgrounder:

Napa Valley is widely acknowledged as ultimate area in which to produce Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2007 vintage has already produced some fantastic examples that are just now beginning to shine as they realize some bottle age. Today we send Agent Red back to Summers Winery, where winemaker Ignacio Blancas makes wines of great quality and remarkable distinction. Read Agent Red’s tasting notes and mission report below

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Deep and dense garnet with dense ruby red and purple hues through its clear and slightly darker core. When swirled, wide, wine-stained legs appear on the side of the glass, and then slowly make their way downward.

Smell – Bold and rich with fresh sawn oak and cedar notes leading the way as dark red and black fruit follow. Tangy black cherry and raspberry along with vanilla and dark chocolate linger with perfumed dried rose floral notes.

Feel – Full-bodied and dry with expansive young tannins and lively acidity that lingers into the finish.

Taste – Rich and bold with dark and black fruit layered over cedar and oak notes. Dark chocolate with hints of coffee and spice.

Finish – Long with its youthful tannins clinging to the palate while the dark fruit fades in unison with its oaky and other flavors.

Conclusion – Dark and bold, this wine possesses plenty of complex Napa character, in a package that won’t break the bank. Decant for best results, and be rewarded with fruit that softens as the wine opens up. Big perfume on the nose is your first indication that the wine will deliver bog flavors. We really loved the complex black fruit and the espresso notes, on the palate. Pair this beauty with a grilled steak or a nice roast.

Mission Report:

WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER

SUBJECT: Ignacio Blancas

WINE EDUCATION: Napa Valley College, SRJC, Continuing Education at UC Davis. Certificate in Enology/Viticulture from NVC

CALIFORNIA WINE JOB BRIEF: Summers Estate Wines – 1997 to present

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: Know the vineyards, grow the grapes expertly so you know what to expect in the wine

WINEMAKER QUOTE: Wine quality is made in the vineyard

FIRST COMMERCIAL WINE RELEASE: Summers 1st release was 1993 Merlot in 1995. Ignacio Blancas’ first release was in 2000.

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WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

AGENT RED: Greetings, Ignacio. It’s great to see you again. We are thrilled to be showing your 2007 Adriana’s Cuvee today. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.

IGNACIO BLANCAS: I like when people taste my wines, and even more so when they love the wine and say nice things about it.

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

IGNACIO: Working for a Catering Company and going to wineries for 7 years to put on events. I started tasting wine during those 7 years, and here I am making and enjoying the Art of winemaking.

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

IGNACIO: The wine and winemaker are related – Scott McLeod –Winemaker at Rubicon Estate, Rubicon Cabernet Sauvignon

RED: Who do you make wine for?

IGNACIO: I make wine for the consumer – and for myself, and for the Summers family. We work as a team to blend our wines to a certain flavor profile so our vintages are consistent from year to year. Having our own vineyards makes this job much easier for me.

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

IGNACIO: Andirana’s Cuvee is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes procured from three select vineyards in the northern Napa Valley, including Summers’ own Villa Andriana Vineyard. The unique microclimate of the vineyards combine to yield a deep and complex Cabernet. The terroir, barrel aging and judicious use of new oak make this a wine that is enjoyable young, with light yet firm tannins.

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

IGNACIO: Andriana’s Cuvee is a great food wine, which pairs best with London Broil, roast chicken or dark chocolates, mmm good!!

RED: In your opinion, what makes the Calistoga region so special?

IGNACIO: Calistoga, at the northern end of the Napa Valley, has a unique recognizable grape growing and winemaking history, unique soils, climate and geography.

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

IGNACIO: We are currently bottling 2008 red wines and 2009 white wines. We are also preparing crush equipment for the 2010 Harvest which will start in late September.

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

IGNACIO: We recommend that people taste our wines while obtaining the information from our staff as to what to expect with regard to flavors, aromas, and food pairing suggestions. We love to share our winemaking history and winemaking style as well as the story of our long-time crew in both the cellar, office, and ownership.

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

IGNACIO: Thank you for taking the time to read about our wines. We hope that by tasting them you become part of our Summers Fan Club – come visit us soon in Calistoga.

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!

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The approximate location of the Summers Estate Wines can be seen in this satellite photo.