Something I learned over the past weekend at the huge fambly gathering at my parent’s house was one of my nieces works at a cheese and wine shop in Salem Mass. Of course, I instantly stalked their winelist and turns out it is a naturally-sorta collection of great bottles. Many of them jumped out at me as favorites, including this darling… so I had to open one in recollection and honor.
Maybe I should open Carignanes all week. Gorgeous musty nose, vibrant with fruit and peat and briar, a mouthfeel tight with chalky berry and–in this almost-5YO version–perfectly polishing tertiary. I mean… tertiary for a thin, *naturally* wine. It’s holding up great, with a smoky bearing presenting itself down onto spicy fruit. It’s really 100% what Carignane should be. It’s a nice, cheap wine PACKED with the things we all need in a wine. If you manage to find this wine on a shelf, please buy it. I love this wine.
2019 VINA MAITIA ‘Aupa’ Pipeno Pais/Carignane 80/20 Chile 13.0
Stephen McConnell 