2006 Carignane
Cielo Estate Red Wine

Source: Hidden Hawk Vineyard, Mendocino

Harvest Date: October 18, 2006

Brix at Harvest: 26

Time in Barrel: 42 months

Type of Oak: Neutral French & American

Alcohol: 13.9%

Bottled: March 9, 2011

Production: 112 cases

Spec Sheet (PDF): 2006 Carignane

Winemaker's Notes

Carignane buds and ripens quite late, so is not prone to spring frosts, but requires a long season. A vigorous, though not really hardy vine, it is very sen-sitive to downy mildew and powdery mildew (a.k.a. oidium). Carignane has but a single characteristic to recommend it for planting: high yields. An acre of Carignane may easily produce 10 to 12 tons of grapes. It is one of the most widely planted grapes in Italy and France.

Flavor profiles are spicy black currant, pepper, cedar (think of a cigar box) and leather (think of an old British car interior). Great with anything off the grill.