2014 Bonny Doon Vineyard, Le Cigare Blanc, Beeswax Vineyard, Arroyo Seco, Monterey County.
The normal Le Cigare Blanc is a beauty with texture and vitality, a very Chateauneuf du Pape (white) blend of 66% Grenache Blanc, 34% Roussanne that goes through full malos and aged in French oak. Beeswax is an organic vineyard, and Randall has his blocks done to biodynamic practices with the cool marine nights helping develop a natural acidity and inner energy, while allowing for a rich and opulent wine of flavor and intensity of extract and form, everything worked really well in this 2014 making for an impressive and expressive white that fills the palate with lush and creamy layers that makes your mouth water for a decedent buttery dish to match it, Bonny Doon recommends lobster risotto and I would not argue at all, it would match perfectly with vinous glycerol (oily) character of this lovely white Rhone style wine. Bonny Doon’s team has been on fire with their white program, Randall (Grahm) I feel has not gotten enough credit for his whites, these are gorgeous wines that offer a real wonderful drinking experience with a serious impact, especially this one, for the price is a complex and thrilling wine. Brilliant with a pale yellowish/gold hue and a smooth profile and flavors of white peach, pear, lemon oil, almond and hints of honey, pithy/bitter melon, leesy notes, a touch of star anise, wet stones, tangerine and citrus blossom/white flowers that come through a bit on the nose, but have a lasting impression that lingers. This wine comes in at 13.5% alcohol, so while ripe and dense it has plenty of lift as well some saline quality and mineral focus that delivers a balanced feel, even though ripe, this is a lot of wine for the money, it should drink well for another 3 to 5 years too, it’s exceptional for the cost, don’t miss this one.
($28 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive
