The Wine Spies Say:
Mission Codename: The Random Zone
Operative: Agent Red
Objective: Return to Mayo Family Winery. Secure their highly sought-
after Random Ridge Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Mission Status: Accomplished!
Current Winery: Mayo Family Winery
Wine Subject: 2005 Random Ridge Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Winemaker: Michel Berthoud
Winemaker intel brief: Long-term Wine Spies Operatives know this, but
newer Operatives should know that Michel Berthoud was formerly the
winemaker for Arrowood Winery. A few months ago we featured an
Arrowood wine here.
Backgrounder: Last month we featured another superb Mayo Reserve red.
The wine was so well received by those that were able to get their
hands on some that requests for a second May Family wine have been
pouring in. In particular, their Random Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon seems
to be the in-demand wine of choice among our thirsty Operatives. Read
Agent Red=92s tasting notes below, followed by the great experience that
he had in meeting Jeffrey Mayo and his staff at the Mayo Reserve Room
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look =96 Deep garnet to burgundy with concentrated color right out to
its ruby edges, and great clarity through its almost solid heart of
garnet. When swirled, the wine settles fast, but then leaves behind
thick and slow-moving legs
Smell =96 Deeply fragrant with a big intensity of ripe black fruits of
blackberry, blueberry, smoky plum, cherries and soft oak with violet,
anise, earth, mushroom and mildest cigar box rounding out the nose
Feel =96 Initially smooth and slightly round, them quickly grippy with
big tannins, full-bodied with solid flavor intensity
Taste =96 Richly layered flavors of black and red fruit balanced with
oak, dried herbs, subtle salty licorice and a mild minerality
Finish =96 Long, long, long, with lush and mouth-filling flavors that
linger forever
Conclusion =96 This is an incredible Cabernet Sauvignon that is ready to
drink now, but will reward the patient for years to come. If you love
expressive and big Cabernet Sauvignon but don=92t want your senses to be
blown out by an over-the-top example, this wine is strongly
recommended. Present here are beautiful aromas, rich and lucious
flavors, a fantastic mouth-feel and a super long finish. These all add
up to deliver a wine that is exciting to drink and a pleasure to
share. We first encountered Random Ridge fruit (found in this wine,
too) from Random Ridge Winery and wine legend, Bill Hawley, when we
featured his wine earlier this year. Bill grows fruit at the highest-
possible elevation in Napa, on his estate vineyards, at the tippy-top
of Mt. Veeder. Bill=92s influence and that of his incredible fruit are
aparent in this wine. So, too, is the Mayo Reserve signature style;
The wine has a bold and big character =96 kinda like our friend Jeffrey
Mayo =96 but you also find a special lush quality to the wine. Is Jeff a
lush? You=92ll have to ask him!
- Agent Red, Founding Agent
www.thewinespies.com
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