Community Tasting Notes 47

• bdhanna Likes this wine: 90 points

  March 24, 2023 - Still tasting good !! I agree with my tasting note of over three years ago !! Truly a CA expression of Châteauneuf-du-Pape !!
  Screw top, easily removed. Dark burgundy color with modest oxidation, clarity medium. Consumed over two days, lively fruit and acid on day one, softened, more brooding, and deep on day two. Aromas of blackberry, cherry, and Garrique. Flavors of rhubarb, black cherry, and rose hips with a hint of licorice with a long finish. A very balanced flavorful blend of 35% Mourvèdre, 32% Syrah, 26% Grenache, and 7% Cinsault. This is an age worthy wine is at or just past peak, unfortunately this was my last bottle of this vintage in my cellar. Great fruit and a excellent winemaking effort by Randell Graham.

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• bdhanna Likes this wine: 89 points

  January 19, 2020 - Mature, but it still has fruit !!
  Did the screw top keep this wine in a drinkable condition longer than one would expect or did this Chateauneuf du Pape analog just get it right ??
  In my opinion this is an homage to Randall Grahm’s skill and proper wine storage. There is no reason why California cannot make wines on par with the best southern Rhônes.

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• aekenback wrote: 90 points

  April 5, 2017 - Nice mature wine. Silky dark fruit. Slighytly balsamic.. Although this probably is a little more mature for my taste, it is a lot more alive and fresh than I expected.

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• king-bing wrote:

  May 30, 2016 - Lovely. Not too grand but clean and soulful.

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• worbx Likes this wine:

  October 28, 2015 - Aroma opens with some funk and dark fruit. It's a little sharp, and the funk blends into a sweet fruity note as it opens up. The flavor is bigger than the aroma; it has a rich feel, is a little sharp on the tongue, has some of that funk, and some bright fruit behind the dark fruit. Some sweet berries appear in the flavor given some time. Tannins are on the mild side.
  
  I'd think this still has some time to age. Tasted at about 61°F.

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Pro Reviews 3

Wine Definition

• Vintage 2003
• Type Red
• Producer Bonny Doon Vineyard
• Varietal Red Rhone Blend
• Designation Le Cigare Volant
• Vineyard n/a
• Country USA
• Region California
• SubRegion Central Coast
• Appellation Central Coast
• UPC Code 769434103267

Community Holdings

• Pending Delivery 0 (0%)
• In Cellars 152 (35%)
• Consumed 284 (65%)

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