***WINE FUTURE BOTTLING LATE-OCTOBER, SHIPPING SHORTLY AFTER***
We haven’t locked down a Carignan in over four years, but it’s not for lack of trying – high-end single-varietal expressions are a very rare bird to find in the wild, and even specialty wine shops in our neck of the woods typically don’t carry a single bottle. Imagine our delight, then, when we received a long-awaited return call from a Russian River producer asking if we were still on the hunt for one – with a small lot made from the epic 2023 vintage, no less!
For the uninitiated: this rich, smooth drinking red was actually the most widely planted wine grape in all of France until the late ‘80s. These days, it’s concentrated in the south of France or its ancestral homeland of Spain (with the finest expressions in Priorat), but a handful of Americans have recognized its potential to grow stateside. At its best, Carignan boasts a rare combination of dynamic earthiness and powerful fruit; a profile on full display here.
Lot 508 is a 100% estate single-vineyard grown stunner. Our years-long wait finally ended in the wake of 2023’s abundant yields, and even though just a small quantity was available, we were happy to snatch up all we could – only 200 cases! Given the few number of producers actually making Carignan at this level, we can’t disclose exact original pricing, but it’s above $60/bottle, $720/case. It’s yours today for over 70% OFF! If you ever wanted to have the most interesting wine at the bottle share, it’s your lucky day.
Our price: $199/case DELIVERED, $16+/bottle to your door.
In 2023, major winter storms replenished water tables and rejuvenated the soil, setting the stage for an extraordinary growing season. Our source’s old head-trained vines thrived in foggy nights and warm days deep into October. The grapes ripened slowly, locking in vibrant acidity and developing deep, complex flavors. They were hand-picked, hand-sorted, and destemmed with the utmost care before native yeast fermentation and aging in 100% top-of-the-line American oak. It's a straightforward, low-intervention, old-school approach, and the results are magical.
The nose is dominated by dried cranberries, cured meat, and tobacco leaf, underscored by hints of raspberry, lilac, and baking spices. On the palate, flavors of sweet tobacco, plum, and red berry reduction are complemented by herbs and a faint hint of iodine. The wine’s structure is incredible, framed by medium+ acidity, strong minerality, exceptional concentration, and plentiful small, fresh tannins. The finish resonates with additional tobacco and red-to-black fruit, followed by a crescendo of vanilla and toasted coriander. A perfect pairing for roasted birds.
