Morandé’s winemaking director Pablo Morandé is often regarded as the godfather of Chile’s modern winemaking industry, and he’s not afraid of taking risky chances when the pay off is a result like this great wine, made from a variety that might have originated in Spain but is best known as the main ingredient in dark wines from France’s Languedoc region. Morandé’s Carignan is inky-dark, with intense blackberry action that’s kind of brambly, followed by plums, baking spices, herbs, and violets. It’s bold but smooth, has great balance as well as tons of character and concentration that actually seems to have a purpose. Chalk it up to the bush trained, dry farmed vineyards—planted in the 1950s by the grandfather of “the grandfather.”
WHO: Morandé
WHAT: Carignan
WHERE: Loncomilla Valley, Chile
WHEN: 2007
HOW MUCH: $23
