Randall Graham was the literal (masked) face of the Rhone Rangers movement, when he dressed as the Lone Ranger for a cover photo for Wine Spectator Magazine in 1989. Advocating for using the more heat and drought adapted grapes of the Southern Rhone in California, the Rhone Rangers shifted plantings significantly away from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir, towards Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre (often called Mataro in California). Le Cigare Volante has always been the flagship and most expensive wine from Bonny Doon, but starting with the 2018 vintage there was a change in philosophy to make the wine ready to drink upon release at a more affordable, everyday price. Mourvedre was dropped from the blend and Cinsault, a Southern French, if not prominently Southern Rhone grape, lightens and freshens the resulting wine. For us, the wine is even better than the original and suitably priced for a Tuesday night. That’s a win. Aromas of spiced, ripe red and dark fruits as well as black peppercorns and dried herbs. The palate is light enough to benefit from a chill and a touch more floral, with rose petals, just ripened raspberries, and fine baking spices. Grilled veggies and turkey burgers would be a match.