$38.00 per bottle / $410.40
per case
$32.30 per bottle / $364.80 per
case (Members)
90 points ~ Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine
Cellar
"Bright ruby. Pungent cherry, blackcurrant and botanical herbs on
the nose, with a slow-building floral nuance and a hint of peppery
spices. Sappy dark berry flavors show very good intensity and gain
spiciness and smokiness with air. Supple tannins gain power on the
gently gripping finish, which leaves a note of bitter cherry
behind." - Josh Raynolds
89 points ~ Wine Spectator
"Sleek and engaging, with ripe, supple, polished cherry, currant
and dried berry flavors that glide across the palate, ending with
gravel and spice box." - James Laube
Red Wine of the Earth
A worthy successor to the ’07, though perhaps slightly less
muscular, but conversely, incrementally more elegant. We have
gotten particularly adept in allowing for the expression of a
wonderful savoriness in Cigare, and a pretty nice mastery of
tannins. Recent vintages seem to show more structure than years
past, and we are convinced that this vintage will be capable of
very long aging.
Winemaker Notes
Cool earth is the first thing you smell when you open a bottle of
the ’08 Cigare Volant, followed by the comforting fragrance of
peppermint and raspberry. Tasting the wine, one is struck by its
bright acidity and black fruit – mulberry, cassis and black
raspberry – coupled with a discreet earthiness (telegraphed, as it
were, in the nose). The tannins are gentle, but the wine still
possesses a strong upright spine; every element stands in very
exquisite balance. Utterly delicious and approachable now
–especially brilliant with game, lamb and roasted meats – the wine
will undoubtedly repay bottle ageing for many (10-15) years
hence.
Vineyard | Production Notes
Grenache from our former Ca’ del Solo estate (almost a quarter of
the blend) adds rich black fruit flavors and a discreet spiciness.
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 small amount of
ultra-low-yielding hilltop Biodynamic® Syrah comes from
the Chequera vineyard on the west side of Paso Robles. A select
group of non-irrigated, centenarian Contra Costa vineyards
continues to provide Mourvèdre for Cigare. A touch of Cinsault
provides a very particular fragrance of flowers and aromatic herbs,
and an even smaller morsel of Carignane adds notes of earthy
stone.
Vital Statistics
Varietal Blend: 45% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 13% Mourvèdre, 7%
Cinsault, 5% Carignane
Appellation: Central Coast
TA: 6.2 g/L
pH: 3.59
Alcohol by Volume: 14.2%
Serving Temp: 55-60°F
Cellaring: 10-15 years from release (July 2012)
Production: 2,765 cases
