Cline Cellars Carignane Contra Costa County Ancient Vines 2011

Cline Cellars Carignane Ancient Vines 2006 and all other wine from Cline Cellars are readily available to ship at discount prices. We carry many premium wine from across the world.

Wine Tasting NotesCarignane holds the distinction of being the most widely planted grape in France. It is also grown abundantly in Italy, Spain, Algeria and Israel, and was once the most planted varietal in the new world. Carignane produces more red wine than any other grape and has traditionally been used as a blending grape, donating high yields, high tannins and high alcohol. Cline is one of a few places where Carignane shines on its own. Dark ruby in color, this wine has aromas of chocolate, clove, cedar and spicy nutmeg. The Ancient Vines Carignane is a perfect match for grilled meats, pasta dishes, even pizza with goat cheese.

Carignan, or “kerrigan” as local old timer growers call it, is most often thought to have originated from the town of Carineña near Priorat, Spain. Often used as a blending grape in the wines of the southern Rhone and Languedoc Roussillon, it is rarely the main attraction. On its own, it occasionally manifests itself with an unfortunate combination of high acidity and green underripe flavors. In the white sandy soil of Contra Costa County, in Oakley in particular, the old vines produce a world class, benchmark example under the expert care of the Cline family, heirs to the Jacuzzi fortune (Fred Cline's maternal grandfather was Valeriano Jacuzzi). Crystalline blue-rimmed magenta, this unctuous, feral wine has aromas of strawberry, raspberry, earth, and underbrush. On the palate the wine is full bodied, gamey, plummy, chewy, gently oaked, and somewhat rustic, with intoxicating notes of <i>animale, sauvage,</i> and sea air. Electrifying currents of lemon/lime acidity give balance and brighten up the long, clean finish. This is not a wine for the first date. Enjoy with fellow wine geeks and one exquisitely ripe wheel of triple cream cheese such as Explorateur with garlic-rubbed toast points and chopped fruity olives.

Cline Cellars Carignane Ancient Vines 2005 and all other wine from Cline Cellars are readily available to ship at discount prices. We carry many premium wine from across the world.