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Old Vines Carignane, 2004

Old Vines Carignane, 2004 Wine Details
Price: $13.99 per bottle

Description: Carignane (pronounced: kar-in-yane; or in California: kar-i-gan) is little-known in the U.S., but is the most widely-planted grape in France. The grapes for this wine were harvested in Lodi, CA from 53-year old vines to produce a very concentrated, fruity, and interesting red wine. The wine was barrel-aged in American oak. Aromas suggest mixed berry-especially boysenberry, cherry, plum, and a wisp of prune. Moderate complexity brings forth flavors of oak, vanilla, butter, a hint of chocolate, and moderate tannins. Enjoy this wine with a variety of game, tomato-based sauces, red meat dishes, and sturdy cheeses. Serve at 65-70 degrees.

Varietal Definition
Carignane:
Carignane is one of the world’s most prolific wine varieties. Thriving in warm climates, Carignane was until the late 1970s, the most widely-planted red variety in California. Hailing from Aragon, Spain, this grape is capable of deeply-colored, extracted and tannic wines of considerable alcohol. It is a late-budder and does not ripen until late in the season. Highly prone to mildew disease, it requires long, dry growing conditions. It is often used as a blending component with other, more anemic, hot-climate varieties, like Grenache and Cinsault, which typically lack the deep pigment and extract which Carignane brings to the blend.


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