A somewhat divisive wine. I was able to get past the ripeness as I really enjoy Carignan highlighted on its own. A great spice profile balanced the red fruit very well. No rush here.
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100% Carignan aged 22 months in used 500-liter barrels. Decanted and showing light sediment. Gorgeous red fruits on the nose show raspberry, pomegranate and cherry that gently give way to the notes of rocky mineral, rose hip and spring flowers, raw leather, exotic tea and traces of shisha smoke. The palate is incredibly precise and delineated with focused acidity, ripe-sweet tannins and pure fruit flavors of raspberry, pomegranate, and smoked cherry that lead into notes of leather, tobacco, crushed rock and mixed flowers with a slight pepper edge. The finish sails on effortlessly. Still quite young and will reward further patience.
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Decanted for 2 hrs. Nice fruity nose. Fruit-forward tastes of red fruits, cherries, spices & a hint of mocha. Delicious consistent tastes. Easy to drink. Hope they continue to make it. A pleasant surprise.
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Full body, strong acidity, suprisingly fruit forward. Did not decant but would absolutely recommend. Drink well now, but will let this wine rest for another year or so before opening again.
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Popped and poured, though I would recommend you decant. Really nice wine. There's still some bramble here, but the beast was tamed. Nice fruit, good balance, and nice acidic lift.
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I have to agree with the other comments: this wine is VERY good. Finding a Carignan is hard enough; finding a good one... The wine is drinking perfectly now. Full bodied, rich, slightly acidic. Decanted 1.5 hours.
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Please don't spread the word, as Denner doesn't produce enough of this to go around! Other notes reflect the character of this dense-but-delicate-but-rich unusual single-varietal Carignon from Paso Robles. Expecting a rustic, Languedoc or Gascogne-styled result, we were totally blown away by the quality, balance, taste and flavors in this big surprise from Denner. Dark purple-black in glass, a glint of ruby on the rim, aromas of black and red fruits on the nose, and literally explosive in the clean and intense flavors of black and red currant, plum, blackberry and wild berry from the get-go. Sounds sticky, but it's not; just in perfect balance with a hint of silky tannin, notes of vanilla, and a muted acidity in the background to hold everything in balance. Terrific now, and likely good for another 10 years or so. Super-long finish, and due to its balance, very food-friendly, particulary with grilled pork chops, probably a hanger steak or filet, or red-sauce pasta dishes. Run, don't walk if you can find some.
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Carig-what? Carignan my friends. Popped & poured. In the glass its dark magenta has a transparency that shimmers as it's poured. The nose! The nose belies its freshness. Reminds me of walking through the forest after it rains - it's clean but heavy with a smell of wet wood. Then SURPRISE! Ha! You thought it would be thicker, heavier, but no! Young, bright and dances on your palate with a sharp structure that is oh-so wonderful as it hits the front and then zips towards the middle where the tannins say "Hello!", and then to the back of your palate where it lingers for a bit. Stems up!
Okay, listen up. This is drop dead delicious. First, it pours opaque and the color reminds me of a Cali cabernet. Next the nose...intense honeysuckle, plum, strawberry rhubarb with just a hint of white pepper. The mid palate is intensely Mouthcoating without being too sweet. Finish is rolling with rich plum, strawberry, sweet honey, butterscotch, almost remind me of the finish on a Caymus Special Selection.
-- Consumed at at cellar temp: 60°-65° F. Friends don't let friends drink red wine at room temp!
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7/2/2020 - brasstab wrote: 90 Points
Juicy fruit, not like the gum, but in a savory way. Amazing backbone.
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6/13/2019 - JonnyG Likes this wine: 92 Points
A somewhat divisive wine. I was able to get past the ripeness as I really enjoy Carignan highlighted on its own. A great spice profile balanced the red fruit very well. No rush here.
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1/20/2019 - bjamesclark wrote: 93 Points
100% Carignan aged 22 months in used 500-liter barrels.
Decanted and showing light sediment.
Gorgeous red fruits on the nose show raspberry, pomegranate and cherry that gently give way to the notes of rocky mineral, rose hip and spring flowers, raw leather, exotic tea and traces of shisha smoke.
The palate is incredibly precise and delineated with focused acidity, ripe-sweet tannins and pure fruit flavors of raspberry, pomegranate, and smoked cherry that lead into notes of leather, tobacco, crushed rock and mixed flowers with a slight pepper edge. The finish sails on effortlessly.
Still quite young and will reward further patience.
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1/13/2019 - r4Cali Likes this wine: 92 Points
Usually see Carignan blended, so having a straight varietal bottling was a nice treat. Wonderful wine, very smooth with nice depth and complexity.
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1/11/2019 - TGOT Likes this wine: 94 Points
I was tied up in a conversation when I opened and drank this with a friend, but we both agreed this was drinking amazingly well.
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10/6/2016 - brinko99 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Lovely wine; rich and plentiful but perfectly balanced toward to the Paso fruit. As most Denner's not excessive but with plenty of flavor.
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7/8/2016 - bbcc66 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted for 2 hrs. Nice fruity nose. Fruit-forward tastes of red fruits, cherries, spices & a hint of mocha. Delicious consistent tastes. Easy to drink. Hope they continue to make it. A pleasant surprise.
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6/26/2016 - Reno-Rhone Likes this wine: 92 Points
Unusual wine which we have not had before. Very fruit forward and nice drinking wine. Did not decant or aerate - was really good.
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6/12/2016 - mianthon wrote: 90 Points
Full body, strong acidity, suprisingly fruit forward. Did not decant but would absolutely recommend. Drink well now, but will let this wine rest for another year or so before opening again.
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2/16/2016 - Corrie Likes this wine: 90 Points
Pretty good right out of bottle; even better the second day.
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2/12/2016 - The Wine Write Likes this wine: 91 Points
Popped and poured, though I would recommend you decant. Really nice wine. There's still some bramble here, but the beast was tamed. Nice fruit, good balance, and nice acidic lift.
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1/29/2016 - wendyinwlv wrote: 93 Points
I have to agree with the other comments: this wine is VERY good. Finding a Carignan is hard enough; finding a good one... The wine is drinking perfectly now. Full bodied, rich, slightly acidic. Decanted 1.5 hours.
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7/28/2015 - Silveradoup wrote: 95 Points
Crazy good, would have never guessed that this was from Paso. Super balanced and elegant.
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7/1/2015 - Snoman Likes this wine: 93 Points
Please don't spread the word, as Denner doesn't produce enough of this to go around! Other notes reflect the character of this dense-but-delicate-but-rich unusual single-varietal Carignon from Paso Robles. Expecting a rustic, Languedoc or Gascogne-styled result, we were totally blown away by the quality, balance, taste and flavors in this big surprise from Denner. Dark purple-black in glass, a glint of ruby on the rim, aromas of black and red fruits on the nose, and literally explosive in the clean and intense flavors of black and red currant, plum, blackberry and wild berry from the get-go. Sounds sticky, but it's not; just in perfect balance with a hint of silky tannin, notes of vanilla, and a muted acidity in the background to hold everything in balance. Terrific now, and likely good for another 10 years or so. Super-long finish, and due to its balance, very food-friendly, particulary with grilled pork chops, probably a hanger steak or filet, or red-sauce pasta dishes. Run, don't walk if you can find some.
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5/22/2015 - pocchia Likes this wine: 89 Points
Carig-what? Carignan my friends. Popped & poured. In the glass its dark magenta has a transparency that shimmers as it's poured. The nose! The nose belies its freshness. Reminds me of walking through the forest after it rains - it's clean but heavy with a smell of wet wood. Then SURPRISE! Ha! You thought it would be thicker, heavier, but no! Young, bright and dances on your palate with a sharp structure that is oh-so wonderful as it hits the front and then zips towards the middle where the tannins say "Hello!", and then to the back of your palate where it lingers for a bit. Stems up!
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4/25/2015 - Nate and Allison Likes this wine:
Drinking very well right now. Very forward.
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3/27/2015 - Gestalted Likes this wine: 94 Points
Okay, listen up. This is drop dead delicious. First, it pours opaque and the color reminds me of a Cali cabernet. Next the nose...intense honeysuckle, plum, strawberry rhubarb with just a hint of white pepper. The mid palate is intensely Mouthcoating without being too sweet. Finish is rolling with rich plum, strawberry, sweet honey, butterscotch, almost remind me of the finish on a Caymus Special Selection.
--
Consumed at at cellar temp: 60°-65° F. Friends don't let friends drink red wine at room temp!
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