2014 Sandlands Carignane - USA, California (2/6/2019)
Splashed several ounces into my glass to air it out, and lit sit for 30 minutes before I even tasted it. Vivid aromas of crushed red raspberry fruit combined with overtones of dusty, scrub land on a hot day. On the palate there was a sense of the wildness of Carignan, but the edges were sanded off. Served with a basic, local-ingredient beef stew it was an excellent combination. The stew kept the tannins at bay, and the herbal/briary nuances of the wine played off the food.
No rush to drink up, as there is lots of fruit, and a solid tannic base.