2007 Le Cigare Volant en demi-muid
(luh see-gigar vole-aunt en demi-moo-ee)
$45.00 per bottle / $486.00 per
case
$38.25 per bottle / $432.00 per
case (Members)
Red Wine of the Earth
This is a special reserve bottling of the Cigare cuvée that was
aged exclusively en demi-muid—or puncheon—500 and 600 liter
barrels, about twice the size of a conventional barrel. It is deep
ruby red with a pale purplish rim, and is dark and almost leathery
on the nose, with blackberry, black cherry, and bramble fruit
aromas. There are more dark fruits on the palate, but also with
bright cherry, currant, spice, and pepper. Earthy and a little
gamey with great texture, it is the most muscular of the 2007
Cigare variant bottlings.
A blend of grenache, syrah, and mourvèdre with just a soupçon of
cinsault makes for a bright and wonderfully gamey wine. The chief
red in residence, grenache, derives primarily from our traditional
Biodynamic® grenache source from Alta Loma Vineyard in Monterey
County. This is supplemented with a smidge of our own Estate
grenache, adding a discreet spiciness to the attraction. The syrah
is principally sourced from Bien Nacido Vineyard in Santa Maria
Valley, which produces the closest analogue we have found to a
Northern Rhône syrah—tannic and meaty in the lower registers;
peppery, fruitful, and delicately floral in the top, all the while
showing great balance and harmony. A group of non-irrigated,
centenarian Contra Costa vineyards has provided mourvèdre for
Cigare for many years. Finally, a dollop of cinsault provides a
very particular fragrance of flowers and aromatic herbs.
While the youthful '07 is excellent right now, aging it for 2-3
more years would be all to the good. We recommend a gentle
decanting before consumption.
Vital Statistics
Varietal Blend: 60% grenache, 32% syrah, 4% mourvèdre, 4%
cinsault
Appellation: Central Coast
TA: 6 g/L
pH: 3.62
Alcohol by Volume: 14.4%
Serving Temp: 55-60°F
Cellaring: Aged 20 months. Aging potential: 20+ years from release
(Nov. 2010)
Production: 550 cases
