Carignane

Carignane photos, charts, maps, and wines.

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(aka. Carignan, Carinena, Tinto Mazuela)

Thriving in warm climates, Carignan was until the late 1970s, the most widely-planted red variety in California. Today, this high-yielding, thick-skinned grape is still important for read more...the blended jug wines of California’s hot, dry Central Valley, and in France’s Midi, where it is usually the main component in basic ‘vin de tables’.

Carignan is one of the world’s most prolific wine varieties. In both the Golden State and in its home territory (the Mediterranean coastal regions of Spain and France), its role has been similar – to produce oceans of simple, everyday wine. 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.

Carignan rarely enjoys a marquee presence on a label as a varietal wine. Instead, its principal use is as a blending component with other, more anemic, hot-climate varieties, like Grenache and Cinsault, which typically lack the deep pigment and extract which Carignan brings to the blend.

You're like an aging rebellious rock star. No one can question your work ethic, Grampa, but possibly your temperament hasn't mellowed. As the leader of the Central Valley ensemble, you rarely find time to pursue solo projects. Undeniably, you're a workaholic; nobody was involved in as many smashing productions as you, during your heyday in the late 1970s.

Crowds enjoy your colorful costumes and raspy tannic edge, but your penchant for the jug-bunch has gotten you in trouble more than a few times. Your unwillingness to play outside of warm dry venues adds to your down-home reputation, but seriously limits your marketability in the up-market yuppie world of today. For the most part, you continue to play the Central Valley bar scene. It’s a shame we haven’t had many opportunities to see how you perform on the broader stages of America. You wouldn't be the first geriatric rocker to make a comeback in a new group with a "Euro-image".    (hide)

GregT wrote in the forum topic: Zin/Syrah blends?

November 2009

GregT

Sapphire Hill in Sonoma makes "the Harlot". Great name and it's the blend you ... Syrah, Petite Sirah, Carignane, Sangiovese, Grenache, Dolcetto, Charbono, and Barbera. So look for producers out of Mendocino

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doug2 reviewed Toucan Wines Cuvee Proprietor's Blend 2006:

November 2009

doug2

Toucan Wines Cuvee Proprietor's Blend 2006

Starting at $24^.95 Snoothrank: 3/5

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Terry M reviewed Senorio de P. Pecina Rioja Joven 2007:

October 2009

Terry M

Ruby Red. Rich Berry, light spice. Flavors of cherry, currant, leather, smoke and earth. Has a great tangy acidity. Aeration softens the wine nicely. A manly Rioja - simps and pansies beware! From IWC, 88 points: "(95%...

Senorio de P. Pecina Rioja Joven 2007

Starting at $14^.99 Snoothrank: 3/5

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Blinky reviewed Trentadue Winery Old Patch Red 2005:

October 2009

Blinky

Interesting blend of 70% Zinfandel, 20% Petite Syrah, 5.5% Carignane and 4.5% Syrah. Heavy duty on the fruit, very plummy and jammy with a hint of spice. Great body and pleasant overall. Very good value.

Trentadue Winery Old Patch Red 2005

Starting at $12^.99 Snoothrank: 3/5

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Andrij reviewed Grandes Vinos Y Vinedos Carinena Gran Reserva Marques de Carano 2001:

October 2009

Andrij

Grandes Vinos Y Vinedos Carinena Gran Reserva Marques de Carano 2001

Snoothrank: 2.5/5

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Live Slow reviewed Bodegas Cecchin Esencias de la Tierra Carigna 2006:

October 2009

Live Slow

Bodegas Cecchin Esencias de la Tierra Carigna 2006

Starting at $14^.99 Snoothrank: 3/5

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Gregory Dal Piaz reviewed Ridge Vineyards Geyserville Alexander Valley 2006:

October 2009

Gregory Dal Piaz

Is this the Zin of the Vintage? Well no it can't be since it's only 70% Zinfandel but it is delicious with huge, brambly fruit tones on the nose with hints of dill, cocoa and creamy oak. The mouthfeel is lovely, youthful...

Ridge Vineyards Geyserville Alexander Valley 2006

Starting at $24^.13 Snoothrank: 4/5

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6 mura reviewed 6 Mura Carignano del Sulcis 2005:

October 2009

6 mura

6 Mura Carignano del Sulcis 2005

Starting at $40^.99 Snoothrank: 4/5

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6 mura reviewed 6 Mura Carignano del Sulcis 2005:

October 2009

6 mura

6 Mura Carignano del Sulcis 2005

Starting at $40^.99 Snoothrank: 4/5

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vindood reviewed Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Rioja Gran Reserva Especial 2000:

October 2009

vindood

93 points from Wine and Spirits, From Finca Ygay, one of the great estates of Rioja Alta, this wine is particularly concentrated due to April frosts, which reduced the crop to 60 percent of normal. The Gran Reserva...

Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Rioja Gran Reserva Especial 2000

Starting at $43^.20 Snoothrank: 4/5

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