2017 The Princess and the Peasant Carignan

Community Tasting Notes (5) Avg Score: 88 points

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  2/17/2020 - RKatzDO wrote:

  Decent wine. Young, fruity and a little tannic. Decant for 2 hours.

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  1/9/2020 - ptaylor2112 Likes this wine: 88 Points

  After my first tasting note (4/23/19), I had a very nice email conversation with the winemaker. We discussed the carignan grape, the terroir, and the growing conditions. The winemaker recommended I wait a few months before opening my next bottle.
  
  So, tonight I tried another bottle. It was excellent! I didn't mind sipping it without food. I couldn't put my finger on the varietal as I have little experience with Carignan. One might think of a soft Grenache, but with blackberry / black cherry instead of red fruits. Or perhaps a lighter red from Portugal minus the higher ABV. Or perhaps an earthier, aged Beaujolais minus the grapey-ness.
  
  I liked the black fruit and the soft, pillowy tannins. The first glass was at (passive) cellar temp of about 66 degrees. Also had a glass from the fridge, probably around 60 degrees. Both were pleasant. The wine opened up and gained a bit of weight over the course of the evening to what I'd call a medium body. I would not consider this full bodied or full throated.
  
  I have 5 bottles remaining and would like to see if the next bottle can stand up to a hearty meal in the dead of winter.

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  10/10/2019 - swillpower wrote:

  Found a few of these from B-Day 2019. I had opened one shortly after getting it, and found it pleasant but a bit simple. This one is wide open now, and very pleasurable. It’s got some lively, briary notes, a bit of spice, an unexpected thin layer of tannic support. Faint green/stem notes on the surprisingly sustained finish. The overall impression is a lighter-bodied red that has some backbone. Definitely needs some food to show its best. Overall, I found it delightful, and a super value. Drink or hold.

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  6/26/2019 - Maphill01 Likes this wine:

  Fruit forward red berries and cherry. Smooth tannins, a little earthy, sweet tart finish. Great QPR.

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  4/23/2019 - ptaylor2112 Likes this wine: 88 Points

  Cool climate Carignan, who'da thunk it? This wine has the potential to be pretty good. If you pop and pour, the first glass will be a little off. Hard to describe, just a little off. I suggest decanting for 1.5-2 hours, or at least running 2 times through an aerator. Make sure to serve a few degrees below room temp (i.e. 65-70 degrees). I have 6 bottles and am planning to buy more in the future. A 2017-18-19 vertical would be super interesting.

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