2018 Banshee Carignan, Mendocino County
The 2018 Mendocino Carignan is a deep, inky magenta with woody manzanita and cigar box aromas. Rich flavors of mulberry and crispy pie crust with hints of bergamot and violet lead to a texture of fine, supple leather. A masculine, strong tannin backbone with a touch of habanero pepper on the finish, this Carignan finishes with a mustang kick!
Winemaker Notes
Two separate fermentations-one using whole cluster (which represents 80% of the blend) and the other destemmed fruit. These were fermented at low temperatures with manual punchdowns and pigeage. Aged for 15 months in 30% new French oak.
Composition
100% Carignan
Wine Specs
Vintage
2018
Varietal
Carignan
Appellation
Mendocino County
Acid
6.8 g/L
pH
3.67
Alcohol %
14.2
Vineyard Notes
Our Carignan fortuitously came to our attention by a truck driver delivering Pinot to us. José, the driver, kept asking us to come check out his backyard Carignan which we finally agreed to see. Its vines were about 40 years old and organically farmed to boot. Perched on a ridgetop overlooking Lake Mendocino and grown in beautiful red volcanic loam soils, we’re sure glad we followed up on these grapes.
Production
8 barrels made