2017 Tercero Carignane

Community Tasting Notes (14) Avg Score: 90.4 points

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  4/9/2024 - fingers Likes this wine: 92 Points

  Clear and bright ruby color, about 60% opaque with a speck of sediment at the bottom. Profound, muscular bouquet of dark toast and ripe berry salad along with kefta spices. The palate brightens up some, adding more red berry and plum. This has Larry's signature showing in regards to the balance and texture of this wonderful interpretation. Carignane, I usually find to be lacking something and gives me the feeling like Granache or Syrah needs to be blended in. But this is just fine on its own, and I think it will get even more interesting as time goes on. 5+12+17+8= 92

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  3/24/2024 - Ellen5181 Likes this wine: 88 Points

  Interesting unusual varietal. First experience in pure form.
  
  Appearance - clear, medium, ruby. Looks more dense and darker than pinot noir. Color makes you think organic black cherry soda just without bubbles.
  
  Nose - clean and youthful. You need to give it a good swirl for it to start giving off notes. Black cherry soda. Medium minus Nose reminds me a little bit about the taste of a red velvet cake. Maybe a bit cola or even root beer smell. The nose falls away after a few seconds.
  
  Palate - pops on palate. Very vibrant. Very juicy. Medium plus intensity. Acidity is medium. Body is medium (more or less). I say that in that it feels thicker than pinot noir. Less than a cab. Sauv or franc. Or the Rhônes. There is a little viscosity in it but it finishes watery. Flavorful for sure but thinner. Notes are consistent with nose. It’s black cherry all the way. Maybe some black raspberries. More sour than sweet. Feels balanced. Alcohol feels integrated. Finish is long.juicy.
  
  It’s an interesting example of this grape and something different from other wines you drink. Always fun to try something new and made well. For me, it’s very drinkable I just am not sure where to “file” it. Feels like one of those local indigenous varietals you get when you travel to places but in a pure artisanal form vs some house wine that is a blend. Here we are tasting the grape. Though I can see why winemakers choose to use this as a blending wine to help round other varietals for a regional specific wine since on its own it isn’t THAT interesting. To be used Specifically for the color and the very defined black cherry notes.
  
  Larry does a terrific job with it and the fact that it’s 2017 vintage and still tastes quite fresh. Tannins are medium light. After you swallow you feel mostly on tongue. It’s not complex or a wine that I would expect to present development but kudos for it lasting this long and tasting very fresh.

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  11/18/2023 - Discobiscuits42 wrote: 93 Points

  P/p cellar temp. I think this is a wonderful wine. Very pleasing and elegant delicate ruby color. Very pinot esque nose of orange, strawberry, Mediterranean spice like cumin or coriander. The nose is somewhat subtle though nice. Very deep flavor with strokes of strawberry, just a suggestion of earthy elements. Seems to be in a state of transition and it’s pretty stemmy at this time which gives it a bitter finish. I think this has a lot of potential. Will try next bottle in 3 years but could see it needing longer. Nice acidic lift and decent structure, complex and serious. I like.
  
  Update two hour decanter time, stemminess has really dissipated to the background though still present. A very nice wine, very nice balance. Just damn tasty. I do hope the body does thin with time, it really plushed out in the decanter. The 12 tercero Mourvèdre did thin nicely so could do so!
  
  Update day 2. The wine did thin quite a bit which I did prefer while maintaining nice balance. Very elegant in frame. Definite hold.

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  4/29/2023 - Brian Glas Likes this wine: 91 Points

  Nice strawberry fruit with good crunch.

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  4/22/2023 - NicdA Likes this wine: 89 Points

  Super interesting. Lighter in color than I was expecting. Mild spice

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