Winemaker Notes
This wine has intriguing aromas of black raspberries, orange blossom, cassis and nutmeg with a subtle earthy character and hints of herbes de Provence. On the palate, flavors of black cherries, ripe raspberries and blackberries and a hint of chocolate lead to a creamy, sensuous mouthfeel and genuinely long finish. The C'est Si Bon is medium bodied and amazingly well balanced with vibrant fruit, soft tannins and good acidity. It has great depth, balance, and finesse – and is way too easy to drink.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This is a mountain-grown Rhône-inspired blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Cinsault, Counoise and Viognier that Napa-based Elyse produces every year. The 2009 is indeed very good—savory with dark cherry and raspberry tones, and appropriately layered in leather, tar and earth. It’s a versatile wine that will pair with a range of poultry and pasta, too.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Originally a source of oenological sustenance for gold-seeking miners of the mid-1800s, the Sierra Foothills was the first region in California to produce wines from European grape varieties. Located between Sacramento and the Nevada border, this area’s immigrant settlers chose to forgo growing the then-ubiquitous Mission grape and instead brought with them superior vines from the Old World to plant alongside mining camps.
Zinfandel has been the most important variety of this region since its inception, taking on a spicy character with brambly fruit and firm structure. Amador and El Dorado counties, benefiting from the presence of volcanic and granite soils, are home to the best examples. Bold, robust Rhône Blends and Barbera are also important regional specialties.