Engaging aromas of spicy plum, strawberry jam and a hint of rose petal denote a classic Carignane, and the palate follows suit. The dark spicy mouthfeel reveals cherry and plum around a core of ripe strawberry, subtle black licorice, a hint of mineral and [sweet] vanillin oak. Well-integrate tannins and oak showcase the solid structure produced by the old vine fruit.
This wine offers a complexity rarely found in this varietal, but worth seeking out because it’s such a joy to drink. Try pairing it with slow-roasted pull pork over a bed of creamy polenta, or baked rigatoni with Italian sausage and fennel.
Jamie’s (Peterson) Vintaged View & Vineyard Notes: The Forchini’s, our next-door neighbors on the eastern bench of the Dry Creek Valley, own a gem of a vineyard, with 100-year-old Zinfandel vines and 2 acres of 60+year-old Carignane vines as the crown jewels. When offered, we jumped at the chance to get some of the Carignane grapes and we haven’t looked back (other than to extend the grape contract few more years.). Planted on well-drained benchland soil, this vineyard is completely non-irrigated, sustainably farmed, and provides fantastic grapes with which to work.
We initially purchased the Carignane in 2007 for blending—to add spice, brightness and complexity to our Zinfandels and Petite Sirah. We liked the stand-alone wine so much, and luckily we had a small amount remaining after the blending was done. We bottled the remaining Carignane as a single varietal with a vineyard designate. We’ve tripled production since that frst bottling—from one barrel (25 cases) to three barrels (74 cases). With such a small bottling and the limitations of label choices, we decided on a unique look and designed an old-fashioned stencil label. Each bottle is carefully hand painted, giving this old-vine wine the touch of tradition and respect it deserves.
Varietal Breakdown: 100% Old Vine Carignane
Vineyard: Forchini Vineyard
Appellation: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Alcohol: 14.8%
pH: 3.72
TA: 0.65
Barrel Aging: 21 MOnths
Types of Oak: 33% 2-year-old French oak barrels & 67% 4-year-old French oak barrels
Bottling Date: June 29, 2011 (unfined & unfiltered)
Production: 74 cases
Release Date: May 2012