Monte Rio Cellars Carignane Jessie’s Grove Vineyard 2022 750ml

100% Carignane from 8 acres of own-rooted vines planted by Joseph Spenker in 1900, now owned and farmed by the Jessie’s Grove Winery. The wine was made with semi-carbonic fermentation, 100% whole-cluster and native yeasts. Bottled without fining or filtration after maturing for 10 months in neutral oak barrels.

• Country: United States
• Region: California
• Appellation: Lodi
• Size: 750ml
• Color: Red

Varietal

Carignan

Carignan is an ancient blue-skinned grape varietal, thought to be indigenous to the Aragon region of Spain. However, today it is most commonly associated with the fine wines of southern France, and has been grown in many countries around the world which have the warm and dry conditions it requires to thrive. Carignan is recognized as being quite a sensitive vine, highly susceptible to all kinds of rot and mildew, although producing excellent results when given the right conditions and handled correctly. Its high tannin levels and acidity make the Carignan grapes very astringent, and as such, they are often used as a blending grape to give body to other, lesser bodied varietals. Despite this, with careful treatment, Carignan can produce superb single varietal wines packed full of character and unique attributes.