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What We Say 2010 Kit's Killer Cab
If you are visiting us for the first time, Welcome! The Wine Spies feature one exceptional wine each day – and we only bring you wines that we ourselves seek out and love. Always, the wines are great. Sometimes even better than that, as is the case with today’s wine from Clif Bar Family Winery and Farm.
SAVINGS ALERT!: Today’s wine is over 20% off, but you’ll save even more if you buy six or more bottles – because we’ll give you Free Ground Shipping. Just enter promo code: CABSPY
Mission Codename: A View to A Kill(er Cab)
Operative: Agent White
Objective: Seek out the latest killer Cabernet Sauvignon from our friends at Clif Bar Family Winery and Farm.
Mission Status: Accomplished!
Current Winery: Clif Bar Family Winery and Farm
Wine Subject: 2005 kit’s killer cab
Winemaker: Sarah Gott
Backgrounder:
The Oakville AVA, centrally located and adjacent to Napa Valley’s famous Rutherford AVA, was established in July 1993. Oakville is considered on of the most diverse AVA’s in the Napa area and grows some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – Dark purple with ruby-garnet edges and inky clarity with long slender legs that streak down to the side of the glass when swirled.
Smell – Bold, intense and youthful ripe and sweet blackberries and raspberries. Beyond the fruit forward initial aromas are hints of cocoa, licorice and new oak.
Feel – Rich and full-bodied, initially smooth then medium firm tannins kick in at mid palate with a balance of creamy and mineral textures fill your entire mouth.
Taste – Concentrated layer upon layer of ripe fruit including black cherries and blackberries with balanced flavors of oak, spicy pepper that hits both the tip of the tongue and the back of the palate and lingering flavors of cocoa.
Finish – This wine finishes long and smooth with lingering flavors of fruit, oak and cocoa.
Conclusion – Despite its youth, this wine is surprisingly well integrated with layers of flavors. Give this wine some time to open up by decanting it and you’ll be handsomely rewarded. While this wine is youthful, it is easy to drink and enjoy and will complement a wide array of food or can also be enjoyed by itself. This spy enjoyed this wine with grilled chicken, mushroom and red onion skewers with home made North Carolina barbecue sauce (a special thank you to Bryce at Los Angeles’ Third Stop for the sauce).
Mission Report:
I’m not much of a climber, but I do enjoy a good hike and the great outdoors. Recently, Agent Blush and I flew out to Saint George, Utah and rented a car to go and visit Zion National Park.
A ‘killer view’ in Zion National Park
For those who haven’t been, it is a spectacular site to see. We had made arrangements to stay at the Zion Lodge, an old and rustic set of cabins nestled deep in the the Zion Canyon. During the day, we’d hike up the canyon, to Emerald Pools, or the Temple of Sinawava and just take in the fresh air. On one of our hikes, this one to the more rigorous Upper Emerald Pool, we ran across some very experienced, but visibly tired, climbers. Sitting there, I pulled out some bottled water (yes water) and a couple Clif Bars. I love the chocolate and peanut crunch version, Blush likes the chocolate brownie.
I offered the climbers a couple of our Clif Bars (they looked like they needed them) and after the obligatory thank yous, they mentioned that they had tried wine from the folks at Clif. Not wanting to blow my cover, I played cool and asked them about the wine.
’I’m no expert, but the Clif Cab is Killer, in fact its called kit’s killer cab’, he said.
’It’s really good!, in fact it be perfect for later as we relax back at the lodge’, the other climber said.
‘I really like Clif products, I love their commitment to natural and organic food,’ the first climber continued, ‘too bad more people don’t focus on doing things as simply.’
‘Yeah, its all about keeping it simple,’ Blush said…
After they left, Blush asked if we had tried kit’s killer cab. ‘Not yet,’ I said, ‘…but the minute we get back, I’ll dispatch Agent Red to get us some.’
‘That would be killer.’, Blush said and smiled…
Wine Spies Vineyard Check:
The location of Napa Valley’s Oakville AVA can be seen in this satellite photo.
What the Winery Says
Clif Family Winery
- About This Wine
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The fruit for kit’s killer cab was sourced in Oakville where gravelly, well-drained soils produce wines that are rich and dense with firm tannins and rich fruit. Aged for 18 months in a combination of new French and American oak to ensure true expression of the fruit character.
- Wine Notes
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Round and expansive, the 2010 kit’s killer cab delivers aromas of blackberry, dark chocolate and hints of tobacco. Flavors of ripe black cherry, cassis and dark chocolate melt into a lingering fruit-driven finish. The tannins are complex giving this wine a strong presence and good age-ability.
- About The Winery
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You may know us as the people behind Clif Bar & Company (the owners). We are the makers of Clif Bar, LUNA and other nutritious, organic products. Our passion for food comes out in our convenient packaged products. However, life is not only about portability and convenience. Much of our life is “slow” as in the slow food movement. We enjoy working in the kitchen preparing delicious artisan foods and enjoying meals with family and friends. Wine plays a big role in these occasions. We want to bring balance, passion and an enjoyment of the simple pleasures in life to all that we do. That is why we have started Clif Family Winery & Farm. As we move through our busy lives it’s important to find time to slow down, laugh and enjoy each other.
- About The Winemaker
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Sarah Gott joined Clif Bar Family Winery as consulting winemaker in early 2007. Sarah’s experience working with premium Napa Valley wineries, her interest in organically sourced wines and the fact that she is a great triathlete, make her a perfect fit for Clif Bar Family Winery.
Graduating from the University of California at Davis with a degree in Viticulture and Enology, Sarah began an internship in 1993 with Joseph Phelps Vineyards in the Napa Valley, one of California’s most esteemed wineries. She quickly moved up the ranks to winemaker and remained there until 2002. Sarah left Joseph Phelps to become winemaker at Quintessa where she focused on producing a Bordeaux-style red wine.
Sarah now spends her time building Joel Gott Wines with her husband and consulting for a few Napa Valley wineries, including Clif Bar Family Winery.
- About The Farm
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Clif Bar Family Farm represents our commitment to organic and sustainable farming, supporting our vision of family farms, locally grown ingredients and artisan handcrafted foods. This commitment transcends through all aspects of life on the Farm. We raise turkeys and chickens, tend to a small olive orchard, grow a variety of 100% organic fruits and vegetables and run all of our vehicles and equipment on bio-diesel.
