AI Generated Review Summary
This 2023 Dry Creek Valley Carignan offers a rich, smooth drinking experience with vivid dried cranberries, raspberry sauce, and baking spice aromas. It's a well-structured wine with balanced acidity and flavors of red-to-black berries, black pepper, tobacco leaf, and licorice. Valued at $21/bottle, it's a rare find with unmatched purity and depth.
Reviews
Very nice
"Old-vine Carignan really shows here — there’s a concentration and depth you just don’t get from young vines. Dried cranberry and raspberry sauce on the nose with baking spice and a bit of cured meat and tobacco underneath. On the palate it’s red-to-black berries, black pepper, tobacco leaf, licorice, all wrapped around well-integrated tannins. Long finish with that dark fruit umami and fresh-turned earth. Would buy again."
— Bill M. (5/5)
A Delight
"This Carignan was right up my alley, full of character without being fussy, and just downright enjoyable. I could see this becoming a regular go to when I want a really good glass of red."
— charles m. (5/5)
Dynamic and Fun
"This wine was fun and interesting as a single varietal. The tart cranberry was a little unbalanced in my opinion, but I did enjoy the tobacco, raspberry, and vanilla. It was a full wine to explore."
— Kjel H. (4/5)
My First Carignan
"I don’t recall trying a Carignan before so when I saw it I jumped at the chance. I wasn’t sure what to expect but enjoyed its full-bodied, deep flavor. It is a nice change of pace and good with grilled meats."
— steve m. (4/5)
Light and Smooth
"A bright, clean, easy-drinking red with fresh fruit and a smooth finish. Great when you want something lighter. Not the most complex wine that we have gotten from De Negoce, a little one dimensional for me."
— Nelson (3/5)
My First Carignan
"I found the Carignan similar to a Sangiovese. I really did not know what to expect but it was a bit dryer and a bit higher in tannin than I prefer. it was dark in color, robust with hints of plum and cherry. I like trying new grapes and I would have this again but it was not as flavorful as the Tannat lot #519."
— Rich K. (3/5)
Well balanced
"Rich and smooth taste with berries and earthy flavors"
— Mary K. (5/5)
Lacks structure
"I was excited to see a Carignan and was really looking forward to this bottle as I was hoping for something comparable to DeVero (who is one of the few in Sonoma that I know bottles Carignan) at a better price point. The finish on this seemed off. This was better with some hard cheese than on its own. I might be slightly harsh on the rating here based on my expectations."
— Bryan V. (3/5)
Interesting mix
"I love the taste great blend of reds"
— Michael T. (5/5)
Flavorful, toothsome
"Flavorful spice up front with substantial tannin backbone. Reasonable balance, anticipating with 3-5 more years the mouthfeel will fill out to match the finish. Enjoyed exploring beyond the Canon of Northern CA red varietals. Well worth wondering down the path."
— Jeff C. (4/5)