Baxter Winery, Mendocino (California) Carignan 2014

 There are a few pockets of the Carignan grape kicking around California that produce some great fruit — it’s a shame that more of it doesn’t find a home in varietal bottlings like this one, sourced from a dry farmed vineyard of nearly century old vines.  A wild, spicy raspberry nose translates well on the palate, where the fruit and spice are presented in bone dry, bright fashion, and there’s well played extraction of skin tannins that don’t get into sour tones at all.  Soft pepper notes and a long finish make for a great red meat accompaniment.