WTN: Three Calif Carignanes...(short/boring)

Tried these three over the last few days:
1. Ryme Carignane TestaVnyd/MendoCnty (90 yr old vines; Crushed by foot; Frmtd whole cluster) 2014: Med.dark color; rather earthy/dusty/OV rustic some cherry/black cherry/Carig slight herbal/rosemary some complex nose; tart light very dusty/OV/earthy bit loamy/rustic some floral/cherry/Carig/herbal/thyme/rosemary flavor w/ light bitey tannins; long dusty/OV/earthy bit herbal/rosemary light cherry/Carig bright finish w/ some hard/bitey tannins; a pleasant enough if rustic/lightweight Carig that speaks strongly of OV. $30.00
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2. Harrington Terrane Carignane Lover'sLaneVnyd/MendoCnty (13.5%) 2014: Med.dark color; strong black cherry/strawberry/cherry/Carif quite dusty/OV/earthy/bit loamy light pencilly/oak rather pretty/perfumed nose; fairly tart/tangy/Barbera-like/slight screechy strong cherry/black cherry/Carig bit coarse fairly duusty/OV some earthy/loamy bit MendoCnty/tomatoey light pencilly/oak flavor w/ light rather tangy/bitey tannins; fairly long cherry/black cherry/Carig/coarse strong dusty/OV some loamy/earthy tomatoey/MendoCnty finish w/ light bitey/angular/sticky-outey tannins; a fairly drinkable rustic/coarse light-weight Carig w/ lots of OV character; more SouthernFrance in style than the other 2 Carigs. $30.00
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3. Forlorn-Hope TheKerrigans Carignane PoorRanch/MendoCnty (Planted: early '50's; 50% stem inclusion; 13.54%; 261 cs) 2014: Med.dark color; much more bright cherry/black cherry/Carig/spicy bit peppery/cinnamon light dusty/OV light pencilly/oak very fragrant nose; very tart/acid/tangy bit metallic/mineral slight dusty/OV very strong sour cherry/cherry pie/cherry soda/Carig slight pencilly/oak slight earthy/loamy w/ light tangy/bitey tannins; very long quite tart/tangy/metallic almost Barbera-like bright cherry/cherry pie/cherry cola/Carig light dusty/OV/earthy slightly rustic finish w/ light/bitey tannins; lots of bright high-toned slightly rustic Carig character. $28.00
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. Every time I taste a Calif Carignane I think..."C'mon guys...you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear". They all seem to have a certain rustic/coarse character to them. None of these three were "bad" wines and they'd be perfectly fine w/ pizza or lasagna (went fine w/ my smoked Linguica in red pepper/tomato sauce from Dr.FieldGoods butcher shop). But I struggle to find the love for Carignane.
Probably the best Carignanes I've had have been from the Priorat...made in a much riper style that overcomes that inherent coarseness of Carignane. Maybe they should try that in Calif...a LateHrvst or Sforsato-style Caarignane??
Tom

[David M. Bueker]

Tom,

Have you had Sam Bilbro's version of Carignan yet?

Tom,
Have you had Sam Bilbro's version of Carignan yet?

Well, David....has a bear....in the woods??

I've had the '12 & '13 (think only ones he's made) and liked them quite a lot....for Carignane..damning w/ faint praise.
The '12 showed a lot more of the rustic/tomatoey side of Mendo Carig...the '13 seemed brighter & more lively.
Tom

[David M. Bueker]

I thought so just could not recall for sure. I really like Sam's rendition, despite my lack of enthusiasm for the grape.

But what if one LIKES that rustic character, Tom?

I always LIKE that rustic, herbal, gamey character.

If you get a chance, check out the De Vero version from Dry Creek.

Why try to make Carrignane something it is not? Not every wine has to be a polished Noble Varietal!