Bonny Doon Vin Gris de Cigare 2005

We continue down the primrose path of insinuating a substantial dollop of white wine—principally grenache blanc—into our typical blend of red varieties. Though not a technique practiced widely in Vin Gris’ spiritual homeland of Provence, we find the addition of rich white wine adds some incremental gravity and seriousness without jeopardizing the final blend’s personal and electrochemical vivacity—a quality critical in the perfect aperitif, or if one wishes to wash down a Salade Niçoise under the hot sun of St. Tropez. 2005 was much cooler than its predecessor and we find brighter, filigreed fruit notes here—watermelon, cranberry and strawberry guava. The botanical, Provençal herb notes so infused in last year’s model merely float on top of this wine as if carried aloft by a gentle offshore breeze.

"...This is a complex wine that will stand up to complex fare."
-Wine Enthusiast