Wine Specs
Vintage
2012
Varietal
39% Mourvèdre, 33% Grenache, 26% Syrah, 2% Cinsault
Appellation
Central Coast
Vineyard Designation
33% Del Barba, 18% Bien Nacido, 17% Alta Loma, 11% Ventana, 7% Rancho Solo, 6% Enea, 5% Alamo Creek, 2% Woock and 1% Spanish Springs
Pronunciation
luh see-gar vole-aunt
TA
5.6 g/L
pH
3.6
Aging
10-15 years from release (June 2016)
Alcohol %
13.5
James Suckling
91
Vinous
92
Planet Grape
90
2012 Le Cigare Volant
This item is currently out of stock
A worthy successor to the ’11, 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.
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
A beautiful wine-dark, mulberry color, and a first nose of dark, cool loamy earth with suggestions of raspberries, Damson plums and cherry/chocolate. On the palate, it is sleek and racy with a lively acidity, very soft tannins and great persistence. This is a wine from an extremely cool and elegant vintage, and by all experience, should be a great prospect for very long ageing and development.
Awards
“Great Wine" Winner - Slow Food's Slow Wine Awards | Silver - TexSom International Wine Awards | Silver - SF Chronicle Wine Competition
Vineyard Notes
Grenache 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 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.
Production Notes
4,000 cases
Other Notes
Ingredients: Grapes, sulfur, and tartaric acid.
In the winemaking process, the following were utilized:
indigenous yeast, yeast nutrient, and French oak chips,
and copper sulfate.
