OK, here goes nothing. It's too late to run out to Publix for a bottle of cheap Sardinian Cannonau, and I was in the mood for something a little spicy. Being unable to find the bottle of blended Malbec my sister brought me, I reached to the bottom of my wine cooler, past the Argyle Winery Nuthouse Pinot Noir that still needs a few years, and pulled out .......
A 2001 Bonny Doon Vineyard Le Cigare Volant.
15 years old now. Am I too soon? Am I too late?
While it probably could have gone a FEW more years, there was a 50/50 chance it had not survived a bout of improper storage, let alone the trip from NYC. I figured I'd better try it. Barely a tannin left in tact. so I think I made the right decision.
Nose of stewed plums, black cherry, and ...hmmm....medium-rare venison. Fairly heavy on the palate with blackberries, purple plums, juniper, licorice and hints of cognac. Long black cherry finish, crab apples, szechuan peppercorns. and an interesting tartness similar to Indian green mango.
Needs a red meat, but not necessarily beef, which would mask the more interesting flavors. Bison, Venison, Ostrich maybe? Spring lamb. OCTOPUS! Big Eye Tuna or Bonito. Chocolate with hazelnuts. Dry Spanish or Sardinian cheeses.
This IS the American answer to Chateauneuf des Papes, but with a chemistry unique to the winemaker and the previously (to Randall Graham) underutilized Santa Cruz area. Buy it if you see it, just don't drink it right away. Get a vertical.
Needs a red meat, but not necessarily beef, which would mask the more interesting flavors. Bison, Venison, Ostrich maybe? Spring lamb. OCTOPUS! Big Eye Tuna or Bonito. Chocolate with hazelnuts. Dry Spanish or Sardinian cheeses.
This IS the American answer to Chateauneuf des Papes, but with a chemistry unique to the winemaker and the previously (to Randall Graham) underutilized Santa Cruz area. Buy it if you see it, just don't drink it right away. Get a vertical.
