Bonny Doon Vineyard
Le Cigare Volant Red Rhone Blend
California, USA
Really nice for current drinking. Spicy berry fruit, intense chaparral herbs, and beef jerky on the nose. Palate is super soft and flowing, with loads of savory, iodine-tinged minerally notes overlaying dark berry fruit. Loads of flavor without loads of weight. Very much reminiscent of an old-timey Cotes-du-Rhône (pre-global warming/Philippe Cambie). Good value too about $21.
Really nice for current drinking. Spicy berry fruit, intense chaparral herbs, and beef jerky on the nose. Palate is super soft and flowing, with loads of savory, iodine-tinged minerally notes overlaying dark berry fruit. Loads of flavor without loads of weight. Very much reminiscent of an old-timey Cotes-du-Rhône (pre-global warming/Philippe Cambie). Good value too about $21.
Dec 28th, 2023
Very savoury - dried meat aromas and on the medium minus weight palate. A good new World interpretation of a Southern Rhone CdP style although lacking mid palate fruit. A friend of mine here in Toowoomba had a bottle of this on Sunday at his place with a mate and made the mistake of opening it after a 1998 Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon. Predictably the Penfolds overpowered it and should’ve been served as the 2nd wine. The Bonny Doon Is Grenache dominant with Cinsault and Syrah.
Very savoury - dried meat aromas and on the medium minus weight palate. A good new World interpretation of a Southern Rhone CdP style although lacking mid palate fruit. A friend of mine here in Toowoomba had a bottle of this on Sunday at his place with a mate and made the mistake of opening it after a 1998 Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon. Predictably the Penfolds overpowered it and should’ve been served as the 2nd wine. The Bonny Doon Is Grenache dominant with Cinsault and Syrah.
Apr 27th, 2023
Cherry, raspberry, currant, cranberry, blackberry, forest floor and oak. Medium-bodied and soft tannins.
Cherry, raspberry, currant, cranberry, blackberry, forest floor and oak. Medium-bodied and soft tannins.
Dec 3rd, 2021
Usually love this wine, but 2020 doesn’t quite have the concentration of last few years. Still a good value at $15, so points for that
Usually love this wine, but 2020 doesn’t quite have the concentration of last few years. Still a good value at $15, so points for that
1 person found it helpfulSep 29th, 2021
This vintage has improved since previous tasting. Presents; loamy soil beef jerky, spice, berries, and herbs. Smooth, medium bodied, mild tannins
🏈 Go KC Chiefs!
This vintage has improved since previous tasting. Presents; loamy soil beef jerky, spice, berries, and herbs. Smooth, medium bodied, mild tannins
🏈 Go KC Chiefs!
Pale ruby color.
Aromas of red fruit, cherry, fresh strawberry,
Dry. Flavors of fresh strawberries, red fruit. Fresh and fruity! Yum!
Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 2/5
Balance: 5/5
Finish: 4/5
Pale ruby color.
Aromas of red fruit, cherry, fresh strawberry,
Dry. Flavors of fresh strawberries, red fruit. Fresh and fruity! Yum!
Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 2/5
Balance: 5/5
Finish: 4/5
This vintage lacks depth and earthiness as others have mentioned. Nothing offensive, this wine has fruit that I so wanted to find in last night's wine, waiting to find a 2021!
This vintage lacks depth and earthiness as others have mentioned. Nothing offensive, this wine has fruit that I so wanted to find in last night's wine, waiting to find a 2021!
Jan 9th, 2023
Easy to drink. Transitional wine from summer to fall
Easy to drink. Transitional wine from summer to fall
Nov 17th, 2022
Wow this is so sad what happened to a once great California Rhone style wine. I don't know what happened but they turned it into a terrible wine when they lowered the price and made it mass market. I thought maybe it would still have some character, but it tastes like industrial swill now. So so sad to see this.
Wow this is so sad what happened to a once great California Rhone style wine. I don't know what happened but they turned it into a terrible wine when they lowered the price and made it mass market. I thought maybe it would still have some character, but it tastes like industrial swill now. So so sad to see this.
Apr 16th, 2022
Lacks the heft I remember but some good fruit forward notes.
Lacks the heft I remember but some good fruit forward notes.
Mar 4th, 2022