SUPERIOR WINE ALERT:

Today’s selection from Amorosa Bella is a delicious example of the great Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley region. If you love Pinot, then this terrific wine is well worth a taste.

THANKSGIVING PINOT ALERT:

If you order today, we’ll have this wine to you in time for your Thanksgiving dinner!

SECRET SAVINGS ALERT:

Subscribe to our Daily Dispatch (above) and you’ll always know what our Top Secret coupon code of the day is. Every day we issue a new members-only code that entitles you to have Ground Shipping included on orders of six or more and, sometimes, an added discount!

Mission Codename: A Love Story

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Respond to reports of a special Pinot Noir, from boutique winery, Amorosa Bella. If the wine is a excellent as our intel suggests, procure an allotment for our Pinot-loving Operatives – in time for Thanksgiving!

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Amorosa Bella

Wine Subject: 2008 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

Backgrounder: The Russian River Valley, in Sonoma County, produces Pinot Noir of remarkable distinction. The cooler maritime conditions of the region make the RRV ideal for growing Pinot Noir. The Russian River Valley in Sonoma is particularly well suited to producing exceptional Pinot Noir. This AVA was officially designated in 1983, but many of the wines in the region used the designation as early as the 1970s (early in California’s wine history) with the many of the vines having been first planted in the early 1900s. Read Agent Red’s mission report and tasting notes below for the full intel on this exciting wine.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Deep ruby hued, with a perfectly clear and slightly darker core. At the edge of the wine, a fine fink line encircles the glass. After swirling the wine, skinny legs start high up the glass before they run slowly down.

Smell – Fresh pressed black cherry juice is way out in front of the nose. This is followed, closely, by fresh blackberry, earthen black mushroom, dark black tea, with hints of oak, soft cedar and delicate fresh salad herbs.

Feel – Velvet smooth and very round across the front palate. After it crosses the mid-palate, soft tannins spread a very gradual dryness all around the palate.

Taste – Dark black cherry juice, bright strawberry, ripe raspberry and subtle blueberry take the lead. These are followed by flavors of dried black fig, tobacco leaf, red plum, dried mushroom and black pepper.

Finish – Long and flavorful, with bright red fruit that slowly gives way to more earthen flavors and spice. At the very end, the fine acidity makes your mouth water, reminding you to take another luxurious sip.

Conclusion – This is a delicious and delightful wine that will be on our Thanksgiving table this year. New Wine Spies find, Amorosa Bella has managed to craft a really delightful and well-rounded with with their 2008 Pinot Noir Russian River. Soft and voluptuous on the entry and bright with red fruit, this wine turns complex after swallowing, giving it depth and character. Bright acidity makes it a very food-friendly wine. Enjoy it all on its own, or pair it with your best Holiday delights. Just be sure to order enough!

Mission Report:

WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER

We are interviewing Dr. Charlyn Belluzzo, internationally recognized health and wellness expert, author and founder Amorosa Bella Winery. In Italian, “Amorosa Bella” means beautiful lover. The love affair is with life! An authentically rich life is experienced through all of your senses. Literally speaking, Amorosa Bella beautiful bottled wine is the essence of experiencing the full spectrum of “sensuality” using all six of your sense: sight, smell, sound, taste, touch, and intuition.

SUBJECT: Dr. Charlyn Belluzzo

WINE EDUCATION: Though classically trained in an academic sense, Dr. Belluzzo has made it her mission to expand our path on the road to wellness by living a sensual life. Dr. Belluzzo and talented young winemaker Chuck Mansfield, along with an intimate team of highly skilled wine artisans, handcraft uniquely sensual wines exclusively for Amorosa Bella.

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: True to Amorosa Bella’s Italian family heritage, wine is blended to bring greater pleasure to everyday living. Through a luscious alchemy of elements, wines awaken your senses create intimate personal moments and enliven all gatherings.

WINEMAKER QUOTE: “Quality of life is measured in moments of living, not years of life!

FIRST COMMERCIAL WINE RELEASE: 23 October 2009

WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

AGENT RED: Greetings, Dr. Belluzzo! We are thrilled to be showing your 2008 Pinot Noir today. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.

DR. CHARLYN BELLUZZO: It’s purely my pleasure to join you!

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

CHARLYN: As a very young girl, my grandfather fashioned a wonderful rope swing under a canopy of vines in a section of his grape arbor. During warm summer days we played under the vines as the grapes matured, changing color and fragrance as they ripened. We knew exactly when the grapes became sweet enough to sample right off the vine. Falling in love with the juice that my grandmother made from these gorgeous grapes, while yet a child began my passion.

RED: Who do you make wine for?

CHARLYN: The characteristics of Amorosa Bella wines please some of the most sophisticated wine aficionado, yet the romantic sensual nature of our wines and the enjoyable lifestyle we purvey attracts a new class of young wine enthusiasts.

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

CHARLYN: 2008 Russian River Pinot Noir. From the orchards of late summer the opulent aromas of dark cherry, black tea and vanilla in Amorosa Bella’s Pinot Noir open to the rich flavors of wild berry and cocoa. The sensual texture leaves a finish that begs for another taste. “Off the Vine” magazine awarded this Pinot Noir a 90 points rating and claims a hint of smokiness connects this wine with the rich earth where these grapes are grown.

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

CHARLYN: In keeping with Amorosa Bella’s motto of living fully present in the moment, wines should be paired with what is naturally in season and with the traditions during this time of year. I recommend balsamic glazed peaches. Enjoy our Pinot with this tart yet naturally sweet peach dish or serve atop of creamy vanilla ice cream. This recipe and others that pair particularly well with our wines, can be found on your website and newsletters.

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

CHARLYN: Amorosa Bella wines are conceived in the heart of Sonoma County, California, nestled along the famed Russian River, where the beauty of lush hillsides laced with delicate rows of grapevines and alluring aromas fill your senses. Temperate weather; warm sunny days and nights cooled by the ocean fog as it rolls in most summer evenings infuses the grapes and the people living in the region with a unique sweetness that is intoxicating making easy conversation with friends and lovers.

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

CHARLYN: We have recently been discovered internationally by wine lovers abroad. A few weeks ago we launched Amorosa Bella wines at the exquisite luxury resort and spa, The Oitavos in Portugal. The first week of December, we will be pleasing the palates of new customers in Denmark and Sweden. It is a delight to bring some California sunshine to our new friends in the North.

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

CHARLYN: Get to know yourself and explore your own tastes and style as you experience wine. Discover your wine preferences using all of your senses. Consider which wines you would select for yourself to enjoy when no one else is watching. There are no wrong wine choices if your senses are pleased.

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

CHARLYN: Balance your life by living fully present in every moment. Replenish your supply of energy and zest. Make life better by adding good wine, good food, and good friends. With Amorosa Bella, life is a celebration and everyone is invited!

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 Russian River Valley can be seen in this satellite photo.