Bonny Doon Vineyard, Central Coast (California) 2012

 It isn’t often you run across a California red that’s heavy (56 percent) on Carignane, unless you follow Bonny Doon and its eccentric winemaker Randall Grahm, a devotee of the grapes historically grown in France’s Rhone Valley. To the Carignane he’s added touches of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre. This is a fruit-driven red with obvious minerality and spice and no obvious oak influence. It shows ripe, juicy red and black fruits, hints of white pepper, and persistence through the finish. For the price, a gem!