That's why yesterday's lunch, where Michel brought along two magnums of his Roussillion Carignan reds from 2012 and 2014 were such a treat. Michel and his colleagues only make about 1500 bottles a year, and sells everything he makes. It's not a wimpy wine, as Carignan is never a wimpy grape. It's also not a wine that is ready shortly after bottling. Working with Carginan takes time, and once in the bottle, it takes time to let the grape do its own magic.
As great as the 2014 was, the 2012 was what stole my heart, and really made me realize just how dynamite, understated and restrained the power of Carignan is all by itself.
The deep purple color, the spicy white pepper. A bit of rosemary in the bouquet and then gobs of big, blackberry, black raspberry and black plum fruit all came charging through. WOW!!!! WOW!!!! WOW!!!
Puch is a tremendous red wine, that has never, in all the times I've tasted them on trips to the L-R, ever disappointed me. Sadly there's no USA importer or these wines would forever have a spot in my cellar for many years to come, as not only are they good today, they will be even better next decade..
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