La Manarine Carignan 2015

Synopsis, Our Opinion: A REALLY GREAT WINE.

Producer/Winery: Gilles Gasq; Domaine La Manarine; Travaillan, France.

Grape Variety: Carignan

Geographic Appellation, Region, Country: Vin de France; France.

Vintage: 2015

Price: $14.40 (with a 10% mixed case discount)

Purchased From: The Caviste Wine Shop; Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Paired With: Lamb kabobs with onions, peaches and couscous.

Tasting:

Opened one hour before drinking. Clear, purple/garnet color with a light purple rim. Intense aromas of cherry, smoke and mushrooms being sauteed. Smooth entry, a tad rustic, mouth-puckering dry, medium body and a 150-grit texture. Juicy ripe flavors of cherry and blackberry with a lingering licorice taste, zesty acidity, abundant grippy tannins and a dawdling finish that is full of spiciness. WOW, WOW this was delicious and an absolute STEAL at only $14.40!!! Fantastic pairing with the lamb, but it made an excellent sipping wine too. The combination of plentiful acidity and lively fruit really gives Carignan varietals a whole new meaning. It was A REALLY GREAT WINE.

Comments: This is the third Domaine La Manarine wine we’ve had (see our review of La Manarine Cotes Du Rhone Rosé 2012 and La Manarine Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2015). Our comment would be Gilles Gasq is batting a thousand with TastedOnline.com!!!

Alcohol Content: 13.5%

Closure: Natural cork.

UPC Code: 8 11644 01181 5

Imported by: Rosenthal Wine Merchant; New York, New York.