Bonny Doon "Galactic Stellar Manifestations" GSM

Tasting notes & discussion 23

Typically $50/bottle from Bonny Doon Vineyard
Vintage 2022 from the Central Coast
Available for AZ; CA; CO; CT; DC; FL; GA; IA; ID; IL; IN; LA; MA; MD; ME; MI; MN; MO; MT; NC; NE; NJ; NM; NV; NY; OH; OK; OR; PA; RI; SC; SD; TX; VA; VT; WA; WI; WV; WY
Sold by participating winery or licensee, fulfilled by Wine Country Connect

About Bonny Doon Vineyard: “Based in Santa Cruz, heartland of New Age thinking, dreaming and deferred transition to “adulthood,” Bonny Doon Vineyard has a not so surprising history of idealism and innovation. Founded in the bucolic hamlet of Bonny Doon in 1983 by Randall Grahm, Bonny Doon Vineyard is known for its strikingly original wines made from lesser-known (though no less ‘noble’) grape varieties, the so-called vinous Ugly Ducklings. Bonny Doon Vineyard made its mark on the world of wine with pioneering work in the exploration of Rhône varieties, innovative production techniques and very imaginative marketing that has at times, truth be told, been too clever by half.”

The Ugly Duckling

TASTING NOTES: “This vintage of exploration embraces the usual kaleidoscope with Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Grenache. Merci bien, La Syrah, with lots of berry aroma in a higher register (lingering lingonberry?) and a non-trivial suggestion of floral potpourri - gracias, Garnacha! The Mourvèdre supplies the basso continuo of sanguine meatiness - in a lighter vein, of course.

Aromatically speaking, the wine seems as tightly wound as a Tesla Coil, make that a Pink Panther, no, make that a clutched floral bouquet. Definite suggestions of rose petal, black raspberry and other red fruit, with a whiff of menthol. Medium bodied with a bright acidity and a lively palate impression. But wait, there’s more: Spicy, Szechuan pepper - is that rotundone making its rounds? - and definitive notes of black currant/blood orange/malvidin.” (AbV 14.7%)

VARIETALS: 44% Mourvèdre, 29% Syrah, 27% Grenache

BARRELS: N/A

PAIRS WITH: “Angry (or even placated) game birds.”

THAT REMINDS ME OF: “The Ugly Duckling” by Hans Christian Andersen.

I forgot how brutal life was for the “duckling.” He starts off in a group of barnyard ducks, but he doesn’t quite look like them, so he gets bullied physically and verbally. Then he goes out to live with some wild waterfowl, only for the wild ones to all get shot. He stops by an old lady’s place for a bit, but the lady’s animals are also big jerks to him. He sees migrating swans, but can’t join them since he can’t fly yet. He gets saved by a farmer from freezing, but runs away when his kids are too crazy. Finally, he secludes himself alone in a cave until the winter passes.

Somehow surviving this childhood, the “duckling” finally decides to leave a life of solitude under the impression that a flock of swans would put him out of his misery. But surprise! They dig him! Because he grew up and is also a swan!

Just goes to show that if you expect to be torn apart by a mob, there’s probably nowhere to go but up?

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