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Given its relative low price, today’s wine really surprised us with its superb quality. Delivering value and deliciousness beyond its price, today’s wine deserves your attention.

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Mission Codename: Chardonnay: TNG

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Respond to insider intel that indicates that Passaggio has crafted an unoaked Chardonnay that is worthy of our Operatives attention. If the wine lives up to our high standards, procure an ample allotment.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Passaggio Winery

Wine Subject: 2010 New Generation Chardonnay – California Unoaked

Winemaker: Cynthia Cosco

Backgrounder:

Chardonnay is arguably the greatest of all white grape varietals, showing its influence in the legendary sparkling wines of Champagne, the great whites of Burgundy and of course its expression as ‘the’ white wine of California. Chardonnay represents over 50% of the planted white grapes in California with nearly 100,000 acres under vine. With such a great number of wines made from this grape, it stands to reason that finding wines of superb quality would be hard, but look no further; Today’s wine expresses the varietal beautifully.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Pale golden-yellow, maintaining even color out to the edge of the glass. When swirled, the wine picks up colors from the environment, like we’ve never seen from a wine. When the wine settles, it leaves behind long, chubby legs that are slow to emerge.

Smell – Bold aromas of caramelized apple, green pear, toasted vanilla, citrus blossom, spice and minerals, with hints of orange blossom honey and savory & sweet danish pastry.

Feel – Round and velvety on initial entry. This silky feel continues across the mid-palate. Bright acidity and supple tannins lead to a structured, medium-bodied feel that spreads a soft dryness from the edges of the palate, inward.

Taste – Bright, tart citrus and green apple mingle with young pear, Clementine, sweet white flowers, fresh pineapple and flinty minerals.

Finish – Very long and clean with lingering flavors of citrus, tart green apple, pineapple and flinty white flower petals that eventually yield to a soft dryness that invites additional sipping.

Conclusion – This is a fantastic wine that really took our tasting panel by surprise. Delivering value well above its price, this budget-minded Chardonnay delivers an experience that rivals higher-priced California Unoaked Chardonnays. With bright, fresh, delicious, vibrant fruit that invites sip after sip, this is a wine that we enjoyed really taking our time with. Aromatic, bright fruit on the nose encourages long inhalations, and the long finish ends with a mouthwatering conclusion that reminds you to keep sampling. The feel is soft and smooth, which is a rare and wonderful thing in an unoaked wine. With a brightness that makes this a great food wine, we’d recommend pairing with a creamy Fettuccine Alfredo with ham and peas.

Mission Report:

WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER

SUBJECT: Cynthia Cosco

WINE EDUCATION: – Police Officer Academy Prince William County, Virginia / Napa Valley College two years enology classes

CALIFORNIA WINE JOB BRIEF: – Chateau St Jean 2004-2007 / Crushpad, Inc 2007-2011 – currently working the harvest at Chimney Rock Winery

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: – Making the best wine possible with what mother nature deals us – crisp, clean bright white wines

WINEMAKER QUOTE: – “Follow Your Passion” and “Drink all you want I can make more”

FIRST COMMERCIAL WINE RELEASE: (DATE) – 2007 Unoaked Chardonnay

WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

AGENT RED: Greetings, Cynthia. We are thrilled to be showing your 2010 New Generation Unoaked Chardonnay today. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.

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

CYNTHIA: – I used to watch my grandfather make wine in the basement – his passion for winemaking is what is instilled in me

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

CYNTHIA: – Mrgo Van Staaveren, Linda Trotta, and Iron Horse Unoaked Chardonnay

RED: Who do you make wine for?

CYNTHIA: Myself and wine consumers

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

CYNTHIA: The 2010 Unoaked Chardonnay is a clean, crisp, bright wine made to drink with food. IT goes great with seafood dishes, light pasta dishes, and chicken dishes. It is all stainless steel fermented and aged. No ML

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

CYNTHIA: – I would have to say that it goes great with chicken or grilled salmon

RED: In your opinion, what makes California such a special place for Chardonnay?

CYNTHIA: – Chardonnay is one of the most versatile grapes out there. There is so much you can do with it. I love what the different areas of California brings to the grape.

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

CYNTHIA: – it’s pretty slow right now – we are just waiting for harvest to kick into full gear – looks like a late one this year

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

CYNTHIA: – I think wine is made to be drank with great food and awesome friends… And I believe you should drink what you like. Approach wine with an open mind and open palate. Find something different that you haven’t tried and give it a go…

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

CYNTHIA: – It’s been a pleasure making wines for the consumer to enjoy and I hope that you will take the chance and try an unoaked Chardonnay – especially Pasaggio Unoaked Chardonnay.

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!