Anne Rice, author of the best-selling novel and subsequent film Interview With the Vampire, has released a wine in conjunction with Santa Barbara County winemaker Bryan Babcock. Cuvée Lestat Syrah 1995 (85, $30) was created as a house wine for Rice's as-yet-unopened New Orleans restaurant, Cafe Lestat. Unfortunately, the cafe will never pour this vintage of Cuvée Lestat, because after its release was announced, Rice's fans snatched up all 200 cases of it, despite a three-bottle limit per buyer.

Babcock was first contacted by Rice's public relations agent, a former wine retailer, who had enjoyed Babcock Vineyards wines over the years. Because Cafe Lestat had not opened when the wine was released, Rice's marketing people decided to advertise the wine through her Internet Web site and it quickly sold out.

Cuvée Lestat Syrah 1995 is dark, intense and peppery. Next to be released: Cuvée Lestat Chardonnay 1995.

Jeff Morgan, Wine Spectator

Original Article Location:
http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Spectator/Archives/19970131/1-31-97n4.html

Back to Anne Rice Wines Main Page