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This wine was bought on Easter Sunday 2007 at one of the few open tasting rooms in Glenn Ellen.
I opened it after returning from a Rosenblum tasting; I had my mind set on a Rhône for dinner. SGK had cooked up some Shrimp; a Syrah just would not do, but a much lighter Carignane just might. It took some searching through the cellar, but I turned up just the bottle I was looking for.
The presentation is OK. It comes in a Zin bottle (Why???) But the rear label gives lots of info on this not so common varietal. By not so common, I mean as a single varietal; Carignane is a common wine in Rhône style blends as well as a minor (less than 15%) in Napa Zins; but you don't find it too often bottled on it's own. It had an Amalgamated cork capped by true cork.
There was no penetration to the cork, but it left a good tattoo. It had a light, almost Pinot colour. There was a sweet nose, and faint late legs.
After the swirl it had an almost Balsamic aroma, and a faint light chocolate taste.
After an hour, more earth was added to the flavour, but the wine was still slightly too acidic. It would be a good summer wine.
The Verdict:
It does not look like Mayo is still bottling this grape; but it might make a good summer wine if you can find it.| Style: | Rhône |
| Varietals: | Carignane |
| Appellation/Terrior: | Stone Ranch Vineyard, Alexander Valley AVA, California |
| Vintage: | 2004 |
| Vintner: | Mayo |
| Alcohol: | 14.8% by Volume |
| Price: | I don't remember |
