2015 The Princess and the Peasant Carignan Poor Ranch

Community Tasting Notes (1)

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  2/15/2017 - DrewGoin Likes this wine:

  The Princess and The Peasant 2015 "Poor Ranch" Carignan is the winery's first bottling from this multi-generation Hopland area farm. The Carignan fruit, planted in 1942, comes from the oldest part of the organic, dry-farmed vineyards. Adjacent parcels of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Grenache are also found on the Poor Ranch, planted on the same SouthWest-facing ridges and hillsides at altitudes between 1,500 and 2,000 feet.
  
  Popped-and-poured a little cooler than room temperature on the first night, this Carignan features a light-medium body, with bright plum-skin and pommegranate flavors. The nose, initially subdued, offers red cherries and dried cranberries.
  
  On the second evening, the wine presents richer, gorgeous blackberry and cherry fruit, with a subtle earthy nutmeg and bay leaf(?) nose. The palate still delivers the lively red-fruited flavors of the first night, although a much clearer cherry profile asserts itself. The acidity is very clean, and no alcohol is apparent.
  
  The Princess and The Peasant "Poor Ranch" Carignan's showing tears me in two directions. I can easily imagine that this wine will appeal to most red wine lovers. Its accessible, almost Pinot Noir-like sensibilities, will complement lighter fare beautifully at the table. On the other hand, the ephemeral hints of darker fruit aromas lead me to suspect that this old-vine Mendocino red wine might *fatten up* in the near future, presenting the drinker with a rounder, richer Carignan that will sustain its effortless balance due to the lower alcohol and harmonious acidity.

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