When it comes to trying wines that are just a tad out of the mainstream, those made using the Carignane grape are spot on. Carignane’s are easily recognized for their nice fruit bouquets, but with a little blending they can also get plain wild. One of these from the 2010 vintage is now available for the taking at Phoenix area Total Wine outlets and also at AJs.
It is 80% Carignane and is produced by the Peterson Winery in Healdsburg, California with Petite Syrah and Zinfandel added to push the flavors over the top. Since this blend not very common, there is little commentary about what it’s actually supposed to taste like, but that’s just fine.
Peterson just refers to it as one their “Zero Manipulation” wines, meaning that they baby every batch from the grape harvest right up to your kisser! But the most interesting part is their property. The Carignane is grown in the Tollini Vineyard, just over the knoll from Ridge Vineyards, known for their wildly delicious flavors. And indeed, one whiff of this Carignane blend tells all.
With wild and brambly fruit on the bouquet followed by nice strawberries and spicy acidity, “Zero Man” is very easy to drink, and with a price under $15, it’s well worth a little experimentation. This blend is an excellent way to understand what some of the more exclusive wines from this special area are like without going broke in the process.
Of course, if you want, checking out Ridge’s Carignane would be a good step up, but expect to shell out an additional $10 or so, if you can find it. Ridge is well known for their clever blends that bring out the best of the brambly fruit character of their dry-farmed wines.
Serve the next time you rack ‘em up at the pool table. This wine just begs for any evening when lots of people, pizza, and snacks abound. Summer vacation break is as good an excuse as any.
Article by Tom Peiffer, Phoenix Wine Shopping Examiner at Examiner.com
View more of Tom’s articles on Examiner.com by visiting his writer’s page.
