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Mission Codename: The power of Seduction

Operative: Agent Red

Objective: Secure an ample quantity of a lush Napa red blend for our romantically inclined Operatives

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: O’Brien

Wine Subject: 2005 O’Brien Estate Seduction

Winemaker: David Yorgensen

Backgrounder: Napa Red blends, particularly those from the Oak Knoll District, have been extremely popular with our Operatives. For today’s wine, we sent Agent Red in search of a luxurious red blend from Oak Knoll. His keen nose for blends containing his favorite varietal, Cabernet Franc, led him immediately to O’Brien Estate in Napa. Read Agent Red’s mission report and tasting notes below

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – A stunning ruby red with a deep heart of pure garnet. Perfect clarity with concentration of color maintained all the way out to the edges of the glass. When swirled, this wine spins and spins, finally leaving behind forking skinny legs that move slowly down the glass

Smell – Deeply aromatic, slightly perfumed, leading red currant, mixed red and dark berries, dusty cassis and a hint of softest earthen spice

Feel – Initially wet, light and round at the front of the palate – then full-bodied, slightly drying and mouth-coating with supple medium tannins that fade to reveal follow-on flavors

Taste – Dark cherry, cassis, plum skin, and mixed berries are balanced against softer earthen flavors of twigs and sweet wood

Finish – An long and clean finish that eases down smoothly and slowly, while revealing new flavors as it tapers off

Conclusion – A remarkably seductive and elegant wine with delicious flavors, an easy feel with a sincere edge, and great aromatics. This is a wine of great balance and character that will surprise you with its charm. The Cabernet Sauvignon, the Cabernet Franc and the Merlot all get along swimmingly, and don’t bully each other around as can happen in some blends. Instead, the components varietals each play a more polite and complimentary role. If this wine were a dance, the Cabernet Sauvignon would be a firm but gentle lead, the Merlot would tenderly and demurely follow, and the Cabernet Franc would gently choreograph. Together the three combine to present a masterful and romantic tango.

Mission Report:

The life of a wine spy can be a lonely and isolated affair. Field reconnaissance or undercover missions can keep me away from loved ones for days or even weeks at a time. Don’t get me wrong, I love my work. It is incredibly rewarding to sleuth great wines for our Operatives.

Waaaaaaa!, right? Poor Wine Spy, poor International man of wine-intrigue. Okay, I admit it. I sometimes wallow in self pity. Don’t we all get a little blue sometimes?

On a particularly grueling mission recently, I found myself staked out – in the rain – waiting for a local asset to stash a wine in our previously-arranged dead drop. He was late, I was wet and I had not been on a date with Agent Sparkle for what seemed like an eternity.

More rain. More waiting… and then a solitary figure appeared at the edge of the city park. The figure headed for the bench, my dead drop, but the passed right by it. Something was definitely wrong. This person was decidedly more lithe than my bulky field asset.

I crouched lower into the ditch, in the process filling my rubber boots with water. The figure was coming directly toward me now. I crouched lower and, in doing so, slipped in the mud – getting a mouth full of muddy water in the process.

Fearing that I had been spotted, I held perfectly still, listening intently. A loud click-click sound rang out from above me. I braced for the worst… and then realized that the rain has stopped beating down on me.

The sound of soft laughter followed, as did a hand on my shoulder.

“It’s me, silly!”

Agent Sparkle!

I asked her, “What are you doing here?” Her smile, warmed me, making me forget my miserable situation.

“I hope that you don’t mind, but I hacked into your mission logs and found out that you would be here. I headed off your asset and got the bottle from him. let’s go find somewhere warm and cozy to open this baby up!”

With that, my spirits were elevated. Within a few minutes we were at our nearest safehouse, fireplace blazing, wine decanted, soft music playing in the background.

For the balance of the evening we thoroughly enjoyed Bart O’Brien’s exquisite 2005 Seduction while chatting, laughing and [REDACTED].

If you are looking to lift the spirits of someone you love, or want the perfect wine for your romantic encounters, this wine is highly recommended!

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the O’Brien Estate vineyards can be seen in this satellite photo.