2005 Le Cigare Volant magnum
(luh see-igar vole-aunt)
$85.00 per bottle
$72.25 (Members)
Library Release ~ 1.5L
The stunning and critically acclaimed 2005 vintage has been sold
out for years in the 750 ml size; luckily, bottles remain en
magnum, a perfect size for entertaining.
The '05 Cigare shows a deep ruby robe with bright purple
highlights. Aromas of spiced meat, kirsch, mushrooms, a
soupçon of truffle and dark chocolate make for a richly
perfumed red wine. Flavors of earthy red fruit, cocoa beans and
sweet spice, balanced with moderate acidity, slightly crunchy
tannins and a generous, even voluptuous texture with a long, savory
finish.
This wine has the structure to age well and shows more French oak
than is normal for us. Quite delicious yet clearly serious, and
stylistically very Old World. Ages until kids are out of the
house.
In a certain sense, this wine represents a return to our roots—the
reemergence of grenache as the most significant component of the
blend, but it also reflects a stylistic move, already begun in 2003
to a greater emphasis on minerality. This is achieved, we believe,
by greater rigor in our grape sourcing and viticultural practice as
well as a winemaking methodology that religiously conserves lees.
We performed a non-trivial level of bâtonnage (stirring) of
our 500-liter puncheons to aid in the digestion of the lees,
promoting a sleek, unctuous texture.
This is a wine to pair with grilled beef or lamb prepared with
sweet, savory spices; it will also work equally well with a
cassoulet or Provençal daube.
Vital Statistics
Varietal Composition: 50% grenache, 24% mourvèdre, 22% syrah, 3%
carignane, 1% cinsault
Appellation: California
Alcohol by Volume: 13.5%
TA: 5.7 g/L
pH: 3.7
Cellaring Potential: 15+ years from release (November 2008)
