Joe Aparicio Vineyard, Amador County
TASTING NOTES:
The 2024 wine has a ruby purple color of good
depth with youthful hues that despite the low pH are starting to show some
carmine color. The aromas of flinty red
currants, briary blackberry, ripe strawberry and dark plums are supported by a
bouquet of baking spices, nutmeg and cardamom.
On the palate savory red/black fruits, strawberries, cherry, and plum are
accompanied by toasty oak, along with a note of hazelnut. This wine has a unique tannin structure. Usually, I associate tannins with their
source, stems, seeds, pomace, or oak, but the tannins in this wine have a
distinct mineral edge. They are mature
and supple and provide a dusty feeling without being earthy. Rather attractive. The finish is savory with lingering flavors
of juicy fruit that has married with the mild tannins. I enjoy Carignane with fowl, pheasant, duck,
game hen, and brined turkey.
TECHNICAL NOTES:
Varietal Composition: 100% Carignane
15.6% Alc 0.73 g/100ml TA 3.36 pH
Oak Regime: 17% American Oak 50% French Oak 33% Neutral Oak
Carignane hails from Spain but is
planted primarily in France. France has
almost ten times the acreage planted to Carignane than does Spain. The vast majority is planted in the southern
Mediterranean regions of Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence, and the Southern Rhone
Valley which provide the hot, sunny climate this late-ripening grape requires.
I think most folks would be surprised to learn that from the 1960s until 2000
Carignane was the most widely planted red grape in France. How is it that an obscure variety such as
Carignane came to be so popular? In a
word; Yield. Carignane can produce
massive amounts of fruit. This is also
one of its faults. Wines produced from
high yielding vineyards are often very pedestrian, good color, medium tannins,
medium body, medium acidity, medium, medium, medium, medium, medium. I think you get my drift. There are some exceptional wines produced
from Carignane, and like Zinfandel here in Amador, tend to come from old vines. Old vine Carignane can be a treat with great
color, depth and richness. Most agree
that the quality from old vines comes from lower yields which is a naturally
occurring characteristic of a grapevine as it ages.
Our Carignane come from a tiny plot
planted in 1933 by Joe Aparicio and his father in a vineyard on Ridge Road just
outside of Sutter Creek. Production
varies dramatically from a low of 67 cases to as much as 226 cases. One thing that is consistent is the quality
of the resulting wine.
Gold Medal - Orange County Fair Wine Competition
The price of this product varies with the quantity of products ordered in the category "Mix and Match"
| Qty | Unit Price |
| 1 - 11 | $33.00 |
| 12 + | $33.00 $29.70 |
|
