Contra Costa County Carignane

2014 drunk in 2024. Last bottle of this vintage. Still holds up and has more time in it. Lovely subtlety that does open up a bit with time. 

First pour of the vintage for me. Smells like I just pulled fresh table grapes off the stem. Initial flavors of red fruit herbs and something floral, followed by unripe plum and cola. Light bodied but medium pigment extraction. After sixty minutes, flavors integrate.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over two days. Best on Day 2. The 2022 Carignane “Contra Costa County” pours a deep magenta with a near opaque core and an electric looking rim; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with a combination of tart and ripe black plums, black berries, licorice, soft baking spices, stony earth and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium and bright; energetic with lovely minerals. Lovely stuff. Drink now through 2032.

Decant! After 30 minutes, tannins soften to reveal layers of subtle flavors: floral and blackberry dominate with some barrel notes. After 60 minutes, some cola and plum flavor emerges. Purple, moderate pigment extraction, very good clarity. A very fresh grapey pour.

Purple red, medium pigment extraction. Fresh grape flavors initially, like eating table grapes. After ten minutes, red fruit aromas and black currant and cherry flavors, well balanced, slightly bitter seed tannins on finish. Clean, medium bodied red wine, fresh and fruity.

Popped and poured; consumed over two days and there was little in way of development over the course of those two days. The 2019 Sandlands Carignane “CCC” is packed with character…but there is a catch: it needs considerable more time to really deliver all the goods. The wine pours a deep ruby with a purple hue. Medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. No signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is drop dead gorgeous with notes of fresh, ripe dark fruits, a bouquet of red flowers, cumin, spiced meats, and crushed gravel. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium(+?) tannins and medium(+?) acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium with a somewhat austere, mineral finish. Honestly, I feel like the structure is “dominating the room” at this point and needs more time to settle in. But when it does…and it will…folks who have been patient will be duly rewarded. Hold. If I had more, I wouldn’t touch until after 2027.

Extremely young purple drink. Elevated brambleberries peach and plum. Yeasty barrel. Fresh.

The 2016 Carignan is bright, punchy and distinctive, with tons of varietal character. Succulent red cherry, plum, tobacco, menthol, licorice and leather are pushed forward in this racy, pliant Carignan. There is a directness to the Carignan that is impossible to resist. As is the case with most of these wines, the 100% whole clusters are not at all evident, except perhaps in the wine's structural feel. The purity and density of the 2016 is striking. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, April 2018)

This wine is wild in every sense of the word. The fruit is fierce and up front while also bringing a unique profile that feels foreign and exotic. It’s right up front with a huge swell of red fruit and then finishing with some moderate tannins. Ample acidity and the alcohol is in a great place under 13%

Juicy and delicious and very much ready to go. 4 bottles downed in the last 3 weeks pretty much says it all.