May 22, 2020
60ish year old vine field blend of Petite Sirah (30%), Carignane (29%), Zinfandel (25%), and Grenache (16%) from Redwood Valley’s “Testa Vineyard.” The fresh, snappy red and blue fruits, peppercorn spice, potpourri and crushed Provence herbs make for an intense yet restrained red wine that is very versatile at the dinner table. At 14.2% alcohol, the wine shows purity and generous flavors without a port-like or jammy character. I think this will drink at its best from around 2023 to 2030. Post & Vine Owners/Winemakers Rebekah Wineburg and Erica Kinkaid both have “day jobs” making super-high end (and pricey) Napa […]
February 17, 2020
Old vine Grenache and Carignane from Mendocino’s Redwood Valley are married in this bright, intense, food-friendly red. I smell and taste red raspberries, cranberries, wild cherries, pomegranate, white pepper and fennel frond. Reminds me of a top-notch Corbières or other such Southern France red wines with great character and no oak. I’m a big fan of Trinafour Cellars and its owner/winemaker, Alex MacGregor. The wines are consistently unique but not “out there,” very tasty and delivery exceptional value. Read all of my Trinafour Wine reviews HERE.
June 27, 2019
Provence-style Rosé by recipe: 1/2 Mourvèdre, 1/2 Carignane. Grapes pressed off. Stylistically, it straddles France and California. Reddish hue, raspberry/strawberry smells and flavors along with some black pepper, mandarine orange and pink roses. Fermented dry to a modest 12.9% alcohol, making for a pretty, berry-laden Rosé with ample acidity and spice. This is a Rosé to enjoy when you want more fruitiness in your pink. Like me! AERENA Wines, one of the wines from Bespoke Collection, are made by the super-skilled and accomplished Aaron Pott. The Mourvèdre and Carignane comes from 135 year old vines in Oakley, Sacramento Delta. This […]
June 18, 2019
Made from 70+ year old vine Carignane and 12% Valdiguie, Frog’s Leap “La Grenouille Rougante” (The Flying Frog) is an intentional rosé, i.e. made like a white wine: grapes pressed off with juice barely affected by the red skins. The result is a style of rosé that Frog’s Leap makes as well as anyone in California. Get mandarin orange, subtle plum and strawberry fruits, citrus blossoms, white pepper and orange zest. Very dry and very healthy acidity…this is a white wine drinker’s preferred style of Rosé for sure. Think Provence/Southern France style.
May 7, 2018
Stalwart Napa winery gets Carignane (92%) and Valdiguie (8%) to make their purposeful Rosé. “Provencal style,” in the words of Frog’s Leap founder, owner and co-winemaker John Williams. This has a light orange/brick red color then gentle aromas of lavender, strawberry, thyme, orange tea and crushed white peppercorns. Taste is more of the same, falling as much into the citrus as the red berry fruits. It has subtle flavors yet a mighty intensity. I put this in my “the drier the better” style of Rosé. “Le Grenouille Rouganté” = “the blushing frog. Rosé is a blush…. More Information I am […]
March 23, 2018
85% Carignane, 15% Syrah from 65 year old, organic vineyard outside of Hopland, southeast Mendocino County. “Nouveau Style” meaning 100% carbonic maceration, bottled in December (a little later than seasonal Nouveau). On the “serious side” for a young, all-carbonic wine, get allspice/clove spiced sweet plums, fresh raspberries, cracked pepper, musk and dry-aged beefsteak. Light as 100 feathers (not A feather, if you get my drift), perky acidity, lovely red fruits throughout…a complete wine. King salmon filet, simply seasoned and grilled, would be a perfect match! Subject to Change is a new winery started by four friends: two with a […]
February 20, 2018
50-50 Garnatxes and Carinyenes (Catalan for Grenache and Carignane) aged “en amfora.” (Amphora-clay vessels. Use of Amphoras to hold wine date back to Roman times). The mountainous Priorat region in Catalonia is one of the world’s special places to make strong red wines. This fruit-driven wine smells and tastes of strawberry preserves, raspberry sauce, dried violets and whole pink peppercorns. Medium/full bodied, gentle tannins and fresh acidity. Has the balance of an acrobat.
February 13, 2018
Only 2 barrels (very neutral barrels) of this Languedoc, Southern French-esque Carignane/Grenache blend made from 75 year old, dry farmed, head-pruned vines. Smell and taste fresh pomegranate, dark wild plums, black pepper, licorice, herbs de Provence and dried violets. It’s medium tannins, medium/high acidity and zero barrel flavor point to its “Food Wine” placement. Grilled red meats and marinated white meats are a natural with the Trinafour Rosso Misto. About Trinafour Alex MacGregor has made tiny lots of delicious, interesting wines from eastern Mendocino County old-vine vineyards since the early 2000s. I’ve always loved his wines. This is the […]