BONNY DOON VINEYARD
A Proper Claret
2015
$19.95
About this winery
Founded in 1983 by Randall Grahm, Bonny Doon Vineyard is located in Santa Cruz, California. Randall is one of the first California winemakers have adopted the Rhone varietals, which earned him the nickname "The Rhone Ranger." Grahm is a leader in biodynamic agriculture. In addressing the issue of abandonment of brands and model of production based traders cellars, he told the New York Times, "We must act in accordance with his own words. Produce wine from purchased grapes is less risky, but you...
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Product notes
36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Petit Verdot, 22% Tannat, 9% Syrah, 7% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petite Sirah
Tasting notes
So, with these caveats, the sentiment at Bonny Doon Vineyard is that if we ever were to drink a cabernet-based blend, this would be one that would serve quite well. It is lean, neither overly alcoholic (weighing in at 13.2%) nor overly extracted, nor overly oakèd; it is precisely what one would imagine A Proper Claret to be. The wine contains a substantial dollop of petit verdot (22%), adding a silky note of violets and textural elegance, in counterpoint to the lead-in-the-pencil firmness offered by the inclusion of the virile tannat (22%). Tannat, the grape implicated in the French paradox (and the vinifera variety with resveratrol levels that are off the charts), is principally grown in Gascony (land of Les Trois Mousquetaires), though it was historically grown as well in Bordeaux as late as the 19th century. Comparing this wine with the 2013 APC, the second vintage, the ’14 version is a bit plusher and posher, with softer tannins, not unreminiscent of the overstuffed chair at one’s Club. There is still a lovely minty, cedary aspect to this wine, reflective of its perfect balance, with nary a prunish note to be found.