 Don't know if April was officially International Carignan Appreciation Month, but darn it all we're going to celebrate as if it was! Like the Carignan in the Insider's Pick a few weeks ago from Chile, this is a unique example coming from an area where the varietal doesn't usually get featured. Mazuelo is the Spanish name for Carignan, and while it is a traditional variety in Rioja it is almost always a low portion of the blend as a supporting role to Tempranillo. More and more wineries in the region are playing with featuring the individual varieties of Rioja, nice for diversity as well as showing different ways to express the regional terroir. Carignan can be a very vigorous, high yield grape as we've stated before, so when a producer is able to get that vigor under control the depth and complexity really shines through. Dusty earth and bright currant aromas pop on the aromas, with a touch of toasty oak coming out that sort of sweetens the nose a bit. The palate is quite different than the Chilean wine, dustier with less weight of fruit, but a longer and finer finish of blackberry skin, racy cranberry and anise seed, carrying that fine Rioja elegance. Restrained, but at less than 13%abv it isn't lacking for complexity or flavor, a nice match with lighter savory dishes.
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February 2025
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