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What We Say 2007 Morris Fay Cabernet Sauvignon
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Today’s Sonoma County Vintner’s selection is also an exceptional QPR (quality to price ration) value Recession Buster.
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Mission Codename: Saint Morris
Operative: Agent Red
Objective: Secure a exceptional budget-minded Cabernet for our Operatives
Mission Status: Accomplished!
Current Winery: Pedroncelli Winery & Vineyards
Wine Subject: 2007 Cabernet Sauvignion – Morris Fay Vineyard – Alexander Valley
Winemaker: John Pedroncelli
Backgrounder:
Today’s Cabernet Sauvignon comes to us from one of Sonoma County’s most experienced winemaking families. Grown in Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley, today’s wine is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon. Read Agent Red’s tasting notes and mission report, below, for the the complete scoop on today’s wine
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – Dark garnet hues with a soft brickish edge the encircles the rim of the glass. A hearty swirling of this wine shows a soft surface, hinting at the fine texture of the wine. When the wine settles, it leaves behind ropey legs that move swiftly down the glass.
Smell – This wine leads with a nice rush of smoky dried cherry, raspberry, plum and a hint of cranberry. Under these, are subtle aromas of dried fall leaves, sweetwoods and dried herbs.
Feel -Initially dry and austere on the attack, the wine then shows a softness out at the edges of the palate. Eventually, an flinty minerality sets in, adding another round of dryness.
Taste – Leading with plum, black cherry and smoky dark raspberry, the wine then reveals oak, currant, clove and black pepper.
Finish -Medium length, this wine begins dry but flavorful, lead by the dark fruits that yield to flinty minerals, black pepper and soft clove, that add another gradual layer of dryness.
Conclusion – This is our second successive vintage showing of this wine. Perdoncelli’s Morris Fay Cabernet always delights us, especially given the lower price of the wine – and as compared to neighboring Cabs. Decant for best results, and allow the wine to open up. Additional subtleties emerge and the wine softens up, making an easy and somewhat casual wine to enjoy. Pair with pork chops or a fresh from the oven pizza.
Mission Report:
WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER
SUBJECT: John Pedroncelli
DOB: 5/2/25
POB: Dunsmuir CA
Wine Education: SRJC and summer short courses at UC Davis
California wine job brief: Pedroncelli Winery from 1946-present; winemaker in 1949
Winemaking Philosophy: To produce the best wine possible to reflect the variety and appellation it is grown in.
Signature Varietal: Zinfandel
Career highlight: Traveled/visited most of the winemaking countries of the world.
Quote: “World class wines are made in the vineyard.”
WINEMAKER INTERVIEW
AGENT RED: Greetings, Jim. We are thrilled to be showing your Morris Fay Cabernet Sauvignon today. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.
JIM: My pleasure to work with you, once again, Agent Red. We enjoy our Wine Spies missions!
RED: Was there a specific experience in your life that inspired your love of wine?
JIM: Growing up in a winemaking family
RED: And where did you learn the most about winemaking?
JIM: In the classroom, from peers, and from the ground up—beginning in the vineyard.
RED: What is your winemaking style or philosophy?
JIM: To produce world-class consumer affordable wine to enjoy on a daily basis
RED: What wine or winemaker has most influenced your winemaking style?
JIM: Giovanni Pedroncelli, my father
RED: How long have you been making wine?
JIM: Since 1949
RED: Who do you make wine for?
JIM: Knowledgeable wine drinkers
RED: Tell me, what makes the Dry Creek Valley, where Pedroncelli Winery sits, so special?
JIM: weather, soil and the individual grape growers
RED: What is one piece of advice that you would give to someone that is considering a career as a winemaker?
JIM: Attend a good Agricultural college plus work experience in the vineyard and winery
RED: What is occupying your time at the winery these days?
JIM: I consult with our winemaking team that includes our assistant winemaker, Montse Reece, cellarmaster Polo Cano, and vineyard manager Lance Blakeley.
RED: Please tell me a little bit about the wine we are featuring today
JIM: Good balance of acid and tannin, good flavor and long lingering finish. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from a vineyard in Alexander Valley that was established in the 1970s, from a family who has farmed the property since the late 1800s.
RED: What is your favorite pairing with today’s wine?
JIM: Vennison stew or for mainstream meals, I like New York Strip steak grilled
RED: Please share one thing about yourself that few people know
JIM: Tennis was a passion of mine for many years.
RED: What is your favorite ‘everyday’ or table wine?
JIM: Zinfandel
RED: How would you recommend that people approach your wines, or wine in general?
JIM: With an open mind and a view that wine really has no boundaries – there are so many choices when it comes to wine – if you don’t try it, you’ll never gain experience.
RED: If you could choose any one wine to drink (regardless of price or availability), what would it be?
JIM: I’d like to taste our first vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon from 1966
RED: What is good piece of wisdom that you can share with us today?
JIM: I have seen quite a bit of our little corner in Dry Creek Valley change, for the better. I’ve learned you need to ride the waves of the industry, the ups and downs, in order to succeed.
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!
JIM: Thanks, Red!
Wine Spies Vineyard Check:
The location of the Pedroncelli Winery & Vineyards can be seen in this satellite photo.
What the Winery Says
Pedroncelli Winery & Vineyards
About This Wine:
Morris Fay Vineyard:
This vineyard is located east of the winery in northern Alexander Valley, where the Fay family has farmed for over 100 years. This appellation has been recognized as one of California’s finest sites for Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Morris Fay began selling fruit to the Pedroncellis in the 1970s and is considered a prime source of Cabernet Sauvignon today. The wines made from this vineyard have consistently revealed distinct spice and singular fruit qualities.
Winemaking:
The fruit was harvested on September 27 and crushed into temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. The berries and juice underwent a 48 hour cold soak followed by pumpovers of the cap during fermentation. This gives the young wine a substantial increase of flavor and color. Following fermentation, the wine was transferred to medium toast French and American oak barrels to age for eighteen months. This length of time gave the wine a chance to develop smoother tannins and take on a subtle spiciness from the oak.
Tasting Notes:
Deep garnet red in color, our Morris Fay Cabernet Sauvignon is rich in aromas of cherry, plum, and toasty oak. Forward tannins create richness on the palate followed by long-lasting spice and fruit flavors lingering on the finish. This Cabernet typifies the richer, spicier flavors of Alexander Valley fruit. Ready to drink now or cellar for 10 more years.
About The Winery:
Since 1927, when John Pedroncelli, Sr. purchased vineyard and a small winery in Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley, two elements remain unchanged: the exceptional place the Pedroncelli family farms vineyards, and the family’s dedication to making fine wines.
- From selling grapes to home winemakers during prohibition in order to keep the vineyards going,
- to growing a small base of business during the 1930s and 1940s,
- to the second generation joining their father: son John becoming winemaker in 1948 followed by Jim in 1955 as sales director,
- to 1963 when the winery was officially purchased by John and Jim from their father,
- to growing the line of wines in the 1960s with vineyard expansion and diversification,
- to the boom time of the 1970s and 1980s along with many changes and additions to our sales base including national sales and export,
- the third generation coming on board and vineyard replanting in the 1990s
- to the 21st century where the fourth generation is coming up the ranks…
- and it is still a family owned business.
It all adds up to tradition, heritage and a family of wines you can enjoy with confidence.
Technical Analysis:
Alcohol: 13.8%
