
Wine Specs
Vintage
2014
Varietal
66% grenache blanc, 34% roussanne
Appellation
Arroyo Seco
TA
6.9 g/L
pH
3.58
Aging
Drinkable upon release (Sept. 2017), 4-7 years ageability
Alcohol %
13.5
2014 Le Cigare Blanc (375ml) - Half Bottle
White Wine of the Earth (half bottle)
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Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
Pale, slightly lime-green color with great freshness in the honeyed nose—lilac, almond blossom and suggestions of lemon curd. Perhaps even a touch of fennel and spearmint, juxtaposed against a quince/Asian pear background. (These descriptors seem to be the calling cards of the Grenache Blanc/Roussanne admixture, at least from the Beeswax Vineyard.) The ’14 seems texturally a bit lighter on its feet than the ’13; maybe a slightly brighter acidity and not quite as weighty or ponderous on the palate. That said, this wine is not a shrinking violet. The ’14 Cigare Blanc seems destined for long-life and will continue to improve over the next five years, perhaps much longer.
Vineyard Notes
Since 2003, we’ve produced this blend of grenache blanc and roussanne derived from a single vineyard source, the Beeswax Vineyard in the Arroyo Seco region of Monterey County. Farmed organically, surrounded by wilderness, and shielded from the cool Pacific Coast winds by the Santa Lucia Mountains, Beeswax Vineyard grows complex, concentrated and mineral intensive grapes from deeply rooted vines.
Production Notes
An intensely flavored wine at a relatively modest degree of alcohol; the ’14 Cigare Blanc underwent a complete malolactic fermentation.
Food Pairing Notes
It is quite rich and luscious, plenty of glycerol and non-trivial extract; Le Cigare Blanc remains a great vin de gastronomie, pairing well with rich, buttery dishes. A wine that you definitely want to serve with a rich beurre blanc, though a lobster risotto would also serve quite nicely.
Other Notes
INGREDIENTS: Grapes and sulfur dioxide. In the winemaking process, the following were utilized: indigenous yeast, yeast nutrients, bentonite, and French oak barrels.