

Bonny Doon Vineyards Le Cigare Volant Blanc 2013
£30.00
It's one thing to have a knack for something, but Californian vintner Randall Grahm has a very peculiar knack for bringing traditional and more out-there techniques together to create a kind of beautiful third dimension. Whilst he studiously replicates the grape blends of France's Rhône Valley - earning himself the nickname 'The Rhône Ranger' - he also calls upon the astronomical calendar when attending to his beloved vines. Like a Zen master, he doesn't interfere with the process, preferring to let nature (wild yeasts) to do the work (fermentation). In the case of this white Rhône blend, this has resulted in transcendent finesse, with mystical aromas of lavender and quince, leading to a palate of mango and pear. Out of this world.
Based near Santa Cruz, California, the Bonny Doon vineyard was started by the innovative winemaker Randall Grahm. Grahm was quickly nicknamed ‘The Rhône Ranger’ for his fondness for using Rhône varieties. A typically quirky Californian winery, they have also embraced some obscure Italian grape varieties, screw caps and biodynamic production. Grahm also commissioned some whacky labels from artists such as Gary Taxali and Ralph Steadman.
Due to the Mediterranean climate in the Central Coast, Randall decided to create blended wines and so he planted Rhône varietals in the Bonny Doon vineyards in 1981. Le Cigare Blanc was made to accompany Le Cigare Rouge, both of them pay homage to Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Bonny Doon vineyards use biodynamic methods of production and have been certified biodynamic since 2004. The farm works in tune with the astronomical calendar. It is important to Randall to create a vin de terroir and so he does not interfere with the fermentation of the grapes, allowing naturally occurring yeasts to do the work. The wine is aged in old French oak barrels and the lees are stirred regularly throughout the aging process.
A friendly, silky-smooth mouth-feel which is bursting with aromatics of lavender and quince. It has a distinctive minerality and zippy acidity which balances perfectly with the rich mango and pear flavours.
(excludes Northern Ireland, the Scottish Highlands & Islands, and the Isles of Wight, Man and Scilly - please see below)
Service | Price | Additional Information |
---|---|---|
Standard |
£4.95 FREE |
Most Standard Delivery parcels arrive within 2 working days of placement of your order. Free Standard Delivery is offered on all orders of £100 or more. |
Next Day | £6.95 |
If you place an order by 2pm (UK time), Monday - Thursday, it will be delivered the next working day* Excludes Bank Holidays. Orders placed between 2pm on Thursday and 2pm on Friday will be delivered on the following Monday and orders placed between 2pm Friday and 2pm Monday will be delivered on the following Tuesday. |
Saturday |
£11.95 (all order values) |
Orders must be placed online by 2pm Friday to be delivered on the Saturday of the same week, otherwise it is assumed the order is for the following Saturday. Available for most UK Mainland Postcodes. |
Next Day Before 12noon |
£12.95 (all values) |
Available for most UK Mainland Postcodes.Orders must be placed online by 2pm for delivery the next working day. |
Next Day Before 10am |
£19.95 (all values) |
Available for most UK Mainland Postcodes.Orders must be placed online by 2pm for delivery the next working day. |
Remote Areas - Northern Ireland, the Scottish Highlands & Islands, Isle of Wight, Isle of Man and The Scilly Isles
Delivery Service | Price | Additional Information |
---|---|---|
Standard |
£9.95 |
We can only offer Standard Delivery to these parts of the UK and delivery times will vary locally. Typically, orders placed before 2pm should be received in 3 or 4 working days, although some of the most rural locations may take longer.** Free Standard Delivery to mainland UK addresses on orders over £100. |