Bonny Doon Cigar Volante 2023 Liter

When I first started selling wine in the late 1980s, one of the hottest wines we would get every year was Randall Grahm's Le Cigar Volant. The wine was a tongue-in-cheek poke at a 1954 law in the French region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, making it illegal for UFOs to land in the vineyards. In those days, Randall was one of the first of the “Rhone Rangers,” producing wines from Grenache and Syrah.

This bottling marks the 40th anniversary of his first vintage of Le Cigar Volant, and to celebrate, they released it in a liter format, coyly named “Take Me to Your Liter.” A blend of 69% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 14% Cinsault, and 2% Petite Sirah, the grapes were fermented and aged in tank to preserve freshness. Give it a slight chill, and it pops with notes of fresh cherry, red licorice, dried red pepper flakes, and dried oregano. It’s juicy and fresh on the palate, with soft tannins that make it perfect for pulled pork, hamburgers, or just about anything. Labor Day plans?