Nose
One scents cool loamy earth with suggestions of raspberries and Damson plums. I do so love the largely Grenache vintages of Cigare; there’s an unmistakable spiciness to them—orange peel, cinnamon and black pepper.
Palate
Grenache is not just about fragrance however; any synesthete worth his/her Maldon salt will know that the scent of Grenache is in part highly textural—soft and velveteen. And sure enough, on the palate the wine is also an essence of velours.
Elegant and open-knit, with accents of game, licorice, raspberry and pepper that build richness toward polished tannins.
Growing Conditions
Vineyard Designation:
- 38% Rancho Solo
- 21% Bien Nacido
- 18% Ventana
- 17% Del Barba
- 4% Bechtold
- 2% Alta Loma
Winemaking
Grenache adds rich black fruit flavors and a discreet spiciness. Syrah is principally sourced from Bien Nacido vineyard in Santa Maria Valley, which produces the closest analogue we have found to a Northern Rhône Syrah—tannic and meaty in the lower registers; peppery, fruitful and delicately floral in the top, all the while showing great balance and harmony. A select group of non-irrigated, centenarian Contra Costa vineyards continues to provide Mourvèdre for Cigare. A touch of Cinsaut provides a very particular fragrance of flowers and aromatic herbs.
INGREDIENTS Grapes, sulfur, and tartaric acid. In the winemaking process, the following were utilized: indigenous yeast, yeast nutrients, and French oak chips, and copper sulfate.
Appearance
The 30th Anniversary release of this, our flagship wine. A beautiful wine—dark and mulberry in color as in nose.
Food Pairing
Lamb dishes of all sorts, Moroccan tagine, roasted game birds, braised beef short ribs (we recommend a braise in our Clos de Gilroy), steak frites, roasted wild mushrooms.
