Clos, but no cigare

2022 Bonny Doon Vin Gris de Cigare

This was in the "Power Buys" section at the NH state liquor store. I've enjoyed past vintages (back when Randall Grahm was running things) a lot. MSRP is $17.99, street price seems to be around $14, and this Power Buy was $9.99. So I decided to give it a try.

As with past vintages, it is a very pale pink color. Very pleasant, if somewhat shy, aromas and flavors. But it's missing that Randall Grahm signature character. Still enjoyable and good QPR at the discount price. But disappointing compared to past vintages. Three Stooges rating: single Larry. But I think Douglas Adams has a better description: "mostly harmless".

-Paul W.

[David M. Bueker]

No reason for Bonny Don to continue to exist without RG.

I completely agree. At the price I paid I don't feel at all ripped off, but it is sad that we have the end of an era. Sic transit gloria.

-Paul W.

[Jenise]

"Mostly harmless" made me laugh. Pretty much describes every Bonny Doon wine I've had in the last 15 years--not that I've pursued them, but they show up here and there. They used to be interesting but now they're just blah.

The phrase comes from Douglas Adams's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. The Guide is a book for intergalactic hitchhikers and has entries for just about everything and everywhere a galactic tourist might be interested in. One of the main characters is a researcher for the Guide who was visiting Earth for a few days to collect information to update its Guide entry. The previous entry was very brief: "harmless". His update for that article got pared down by the editors to "mostly harmless".

-Paul W.