Bonny Doon, Le Cigare Blanc, California, USA 2021

Bonny Doon and founder Randall Grahm were pioneers in the production of Rhône varietal wines in California's Central Coast region. Grahm sold the winery in January 2020, but stayed on as head winemaker. This complex and food-friendly blend of mainly Vermentino, along with Grenache Blanc and a dash of Clairette, was produced biodynamically and is unoaked. Ripe and juicy, this has pronounced notes of sweet peach fruit and a waft of jasmine, hawthorn fragrance. It's rounded but with good freshness, slightly waxy and almost Rhône-like in character, with a touch of warm leesiness. A steal at this price.