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This cuvée, the 21st edition of Le Cigare Volant, is
dominated by the chief red in residence – Grenache.
Our traditional Grenache source in Gilroy was this
year supplemented principally by fruit from an
ancient vineyard planted in a dry creek bed in the
Paicines section of San Benito County. For those with
particular sensitivity, a smidge of our own Biodynamic®
Estate Grenache adds a discreet spicy compound
attraction. The Syrah issues from two exceptional
Central Coast vineyards – Bien Nacido and Chequera.
Chequera Syrah is very fragrant and elegant, not quite
classically New World or Old. Bien Nacido produces
the closest analogue we have found to a Northern Rhône
wine – tannic and meaty in the lower registers; peppery,
fruitful and delicately floral in the top, all the while
showing great balance and harmony. A small group
of non-irrigated, centenarian Contra Costa vineyards
has provided Mourvèdre for Cigare for many years and
finally, a small dollop of Cinsault provides a very particular
fragrance of flowers and aromatic herbs.

Varieties

• 38% Grenache
• 35% Syrah
• 12% Mourvèdre (Mataro)
• 8% Carignane
• 7% Cinsaut (Black Malvoisie)

Bottle Production

• 750 ml (Standard Bottle): 6140

Vintage Notes

Aged for 18 months in French Oak Barrels, followed by an additional 18 months en screw cap, and released on June 1, 2008. We have discovered the exceptional cellar potential of the screw cap closure, although imparting a reductive or closed quality to the wine initially; the tighter seal reduces the wines susceptibility to oxidation and therefore slows the aging process. As with the finer Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines of the southern Rhône, this wine enjoys a gentle decanting, allowing the wine to breathe, open up and exhibit its fullest expression.

Technical Details

• Time in Barrels: 18 months
• Total Acidity: 6.25
• Wine pH: 3.6