Bonny Doon 2006 Le Pousseur Syrah

This bottling, which is Randall Grahm’s hommage to the Northern Rhône, has varied over the vintages, but with this 2006, hits the mark as never before. Made with a splash of Grenache, it’s full-bodied, bone dry and compelling in the intricacy of flavors. The blackberries, black cherries, licorice, and raspberries…  — S.H.   Published 8/1/2009

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Bonny Doon 2001 Vin de Glacière Muscat

It’s a blast of apricot chutney sweetened with smoky honey and a sprinkle of vanilla. The texture is glyceriney and creamy. It’s very sweet, but has orange-zesty acidity that keeps it from being cloying.  — S.H.   Published 6/1/2004

Bonny Doon 2004 Le Cigare Blanc White

This is the white equivalent to Bonny Doon’s successful red Rhône blend, Cigare Volant. A blend of Roussanne, Grenache Blanc and Marsanne, it shows Randall Grahm’s touch in the way the richness has balance and complexity, going well beyond well-ripened peach, melon and spicy apricot fruit. There’s a stony minerality…  — S.H.   Published 6/1/2007

Bonny Doon 1999 Le Cigare Volant Red

Randall Grahm pioneered how to produce flavorful, glamorous Rhone blends, and this mixture of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre continues the tradition. ItÕs a bit harder-edged this year, which is fine. It makes this deliciously dry, fruity wine a better companion with food.  — S.H.   Published 9/1/2002

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Bonny Doon 2001 Syrah

Made the way Randall Grahm likes Syrah, which is a dry, peppery wine with rich outbursts of sweet cherry fruit. It must be in the blending, but this wine seems to possess both warm- and cool-climate aspects, which is often what works best in a California Syrah. It’s rich but dry, fruity but elegant, a Euro-wine of…  — S.H.   Published 6/1/2004

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Bonny Doon 2003 Le Cigare Blanc White

Rhônemeister Randall Grahm’s companion to his celebrated red Rhône wine, this is mainly Roussanne with a drop of Grenache Blanc. It’s a very fine and interesting wine that combines white and yellow tree-fruit flavors with melons, flowers and a refreshing minerality.  — S.H.   Published 8/1/2005

Bonny Doon 2007 Le Cigare Volant Red

A provocative wine. If you’re tired of soft, oaky red wines, try this Rhône-style blend. It’s super dry, rich in furry tannins and has a good cut of acidity that gives brightness to the wild cherry and raspberry, chamomile tea, nettle, lavender and black pepper flavors.  — S.H.   Published 11/1/2011

Bonny Doon 2007 Bien Nacido Vineyard Syrah (Santa Maria Valley)

With an official alcohol of only 13.5%, this is one of the leanest Syrahs ever to emerge from this famous vineyard. It’s bone dry, zingy in acidity and tannic, and the cherry and berry flavors flirt with earthier notes of tobacco and dried Provençal herbs. Feels narrow gauge at first, but grows in the glass as it…  — S.H.   Published 11/1/2011

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