The proprietary name couldn’t have been more appropriately chosen here. This is a monster, restrained yet untamed, showing focused clove and anise notes over rich black fruit, carried on great structure with weight that is so well managed you don’t realize what a beast you’re dealing with. Kudos to winemaker Amy Butler for helping to keep this variety in the public eye! A Platinum Award winner at the 2019 Monterey International Wine Competition.
Ranchero Cellars, Dry Creek Valley (Sonoma County, California) Carignane 2016
By Rich Cook