WTN: Last Call for Carignan

[David M. Bueker]

2014 Idlewild Carignan Testa Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County (4/13/2016)
First bottle of the 2014 version of this wine for me. The 2013 was a revelation. This bottle is also delicious, though in more of a deep red fruit vein than the black fruit tones of the '13. It's also packed with herb and earth notes, and finishes with a kick of tannin. There is plenty of depth for at least a few years of aging to soften the tannins. As pre usual with Idlewild wines it is very drinkable - partnering with food but having more than sufficient personality to stand on its own.

When I was studying wine, many many years ago, Carignan was one of those varieties that were dismissed as unworthy, just a peasant wine or component in a blend.

Expereince shows that view is nonsense, there are some very tasty Carignans. I went to a super tasting of old vine Chile Carignans marketed under the badge VIGNO - http://www.vigno.org/

I actually LIKE peasant wines, so....am a fan of Carrignan.

[Jenise]

I am a fan of Carrignan.

Which you should drink while wearing a cardigan.

[Jenise]

Btw, I actually have zero idea what carignan tastes like. I know I have it often in blends, but it's so rare to run across it as a single variety wine that I have no imprint for it. I do have some Tessalae that I purchased recently--plan to find out!

[David M. Bueker]

Btw, I actually have zero idea what carignan tastes like.

I have had a few varietal Carignans, but never often enough to get a full mental picture of the grape, so I am not that far ahead of you.