Revisiting an old favorite, the Bonny Doon Vin Gris de Cigare Rosé.
79% Grenache, 5% Grenache Blanc, 5% Grenache Gris, 5% Vermentino, 3% Cinsaut, 1.5% Picpoul and 1.5% Clairette Blanche from the the following vineyards through the Central Coast of California: 46% Rava (Monterey), 29% Steinbeck (Paso), 12% Loma del Rio (Monterey), 7% Beeswax (Arroyo Seco) and 6% Alta Loma (Monterey).
Sample submitted for review. The Bonny Doon Vin Gris de Cigare Rosé has an SRP of $18, but is available for as low as $12.
Vin Gris de Cigare is the pink analogue of Le Cigare Volant, our flagship named in honor of the cigar-shaped alien craft banned from landing in the vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape by decree of the village council in 1954. Utilizing prominent Southern French cépages, vin gris is a wine made from the lightest pressings of a noir.
We farm using sustainable practices, with the belief that this discipline is well suited to restoring vital life-forces to our soil and promoting the farm as a more integral entity. Our winemaking practice is exceptionally light-handed, with minimal intervention and manipulation.
13.5% Alcohol
Made with a healthy dose Rhone white varietals in a style called Vin Gris, today’s wine is not technically a true rosé wine which is made exclusively from red grapes. Regardless this bottle has been one of my very favorite pink wines since we reviewed the 2010 vintage many years ago. That said, while still an excellent value we didn’t think the 2019 was quite up to the same lofty standards as its predecessors (the previous vintage even ended up on our Top 10 White & Rosé list for 2019).
The 2019 Bonny Doon Vin Gris de Cigare Rosé begins with a very pleasing aroma of strawberry and watermelon plus a little cranberry, tangerine, granny smith apple and even a hint of mint. Tasting the wine shows it to be dry, crisp, fresh and quite good. It has similar flavors as the nose but they are a bit more tart in the mouth. It also has good balance, acidity and complexity with a smooth, round mouthfeel but this vintage just lacks a bit of the depth of flavor that previous renditions had. Stone minerality with a bit of saltiness comes out on the medium long, dry finish.
This is an extremely drinkable wine that is so crisp and fresh that you could almost guzzle it on a hot day. Not only that but it will also pair with a wide variety of foods, making for year-round enjoyment.
See a listing of local retailers selling the Bonny Doon Vin Gris de Cigare Rosé here.
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