Bonny Doon 2004 Le Cigare Volant, California

Le Cigare Volante is French for The Flying Cigar. (There is or was a particularly strange ordinance on the books of the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, adopted in 1954, prohibiting the landing of “flying saucers” and “flying cigars” in its vineyards.) Le Cigare Volante is Randall Grahm's homage to the wines of  Châteauneuf-du-Pape, though typically less alcoholic or tannic than the originals.

Blend: Grenache 38%, Syrah 35%, Mouvedre 12%, Carignane 8% and Cinsault 7%
Body: med-bodied,
Color: nice red color and - darker and richer than the previous vintages
Aromas: smells like berries
Alcohol:  13.5%
Case Production: 3,500 cases and interestingly getting smaller

Lots of dark berries flavor at first, very smooth but has a grenache bite at the end. Recommended to drink now.

Bonny Doon was founded in 1983 by Randall Grahm who is the winemaker and President. Bonny Doon is based in Santa Cruz.  Bonny Doon became known for using grapes from less known varietals and is considered a pioneer of their work with Rhone varietals.  Randall Grahm wanted to return to his roots and “focus on making the most soulful wines we can muster” and decided to start bio dynamic farming in 2004.

From UC Santa Cruz Alumni Files:
Randall Grahm (early ’70s, German Literature).
Internationally renowned in the wine and food world for the award-winning wines he produces as the owner of Bonny Doon Vineyards, and erudite, humorous and unorthodox wine labels and newsletters. Described by Sunset magazine as “one part Baron Philippe de Rothschild, one part Monty Python.” Grahm won the Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year award in 1994 (nominated by the James Beard Foundation) and the Bon Appétit magazine 1999 Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year award (though, he writes, “that distinction is still subject to a recount in New York State”). In 1992, the “Rhoneranger” asteroid was named in his honor. Grahm describes himself as “a vitizen of the world.”  Photo by Hillary Schalit 

from the Feedbag ...
Grahm, best known for being the man who introduced Rhone grapes to America, is especially adored by the more morally-minded wine people for his strongly principled stances and aphoristic pronouncements, like this one; “BY SOUL I MEAN SOIL, AND BY SOIL I MEAN TERROIR,” and “MINERALITY = LIFE FORCE.”


DOON to Earth - Randall's Comic Strip 
"Deep red. Smoky aromas of raspberry, cherry, herbs and flowers are complemented by minerality. Mid-weight red berry and sweet cherry flavors are given spine by gentle acidity and silky tannins. The red fruit takes a darker turn on the finish, which leaves black raspberry and succulent herbs behind. Reminds me of an easygoing Gigondas; this is ready to drink." (Nov/Dec '08) Bonny Doon's Châteauneuf-du-Pape impersonator-it's hard to believe it's not the real thing. First released in 1984, this blend of grenache, syrah, mourvèdre and cinsault pushed the boundaries of what was available at the time. Named for the storied cigar-shaped UFOs seen over the vineyards of Châteauneuf, this wine is an homage to the region and to mystery. Jammy raspberry, floral, anise and garrigue aromas give way to bright red fruit highlighted by meaty syrah and mourvèdre undertones and a streak of minerals.  ... From Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar