Bonny Doon Le Cigare Blanc 2020

Cellar for up to 5 years. Serve chilled. Randall Grahm initially studied philosophy before falling in love with wine and getting a degree in viticulture from UC Davis. In 1983 he founded Bonny Doon in a tiny namesake hamlet in California’s Santa Cruz Mountains and quickly began to stamp his mark on the local wine scene. Today he’s affectionately known as the “Rhone Ranger” due to his tireless work to introduce classic Rhone grapes to the United States. Wherever possible the winemaking philosophy at Bonny Doon aims for top quality grapes and minimal intervention in the winery to allow the beauty of the terroir and varieties to shine through. Their Le Cigare Blanc is a complex Rhone-style white blend composed of Grenache Blanc and Roussanne grapes which are farmed biodynamically. The must is fermented in old 60 gallon barrels with regular stirring of the lees as the wine ages. Luscious white peach and apricot as well as hints of beeswax, lavender and quince define the nose while the first sip reveals plenty of bright citrus, ripe pears and hints of fennel. The well-rounded texture and medium body make this a great match for dishes like roast chicken or fish served in a rich creamy sauce or vegetable gratins.

Price: £16.78 from 8wines UK