Cigare By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor

I don't drink a lot of Rhone wines. It's not because I don't like them — I do actually — but it's just not a region that is well represented in my cellar or in any of my local shops.

Some of the best Rhone wines I've had have been because friends have opened them in my presence or given me a bottle to take home. Honestly, it's a region I'd like to explore more (especially Northern Rhone) but I just haven't yet.

Anyway, I was excited when this month's WBW host, my friend and long-time blogging colleague Tim Elliott of Winecast mentioned Rhone as his theme idea — and then he twisted it up a bit. Rhone but not from the Rhone.

If I don't have a lot of actual Rhone wines in my cellar, I have even fewer wines down there that fit Tim's theme… except for this Bonny Doon Vineyards 2005 Cigare Volant, which — in the tradition of CdP — is made with 50% grenache, 24% mourv