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Santa Carolina Specialties Carignan 2013 Wine Review

Santa Carolina Specialties Carignan 2013

Santa Carolina Specialties Carignan 2013

Cauquenes Valley, Maule Valley, Chile

Community Score:89/100

Community Reviews: 11

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Price: $18.95

Drink: 2017-2021

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 15%

Sweetness: Dry

Wine Type: Red Wine


Winery: Santa Carolina

Agent: Charton Hobbs Inc

Natalie's Score: 92/100

The Carignan grapes are dry farmed, which adds richness, depth and character to the wine. Dry farming means that the grapes are not irrigated and must rely on the rain water that nature provides, however little that is in dry climates like this one. It also has the effect of producing smaller grapes or berries with more concentrated flavours. Complex, dry and savoury Chilean red wine with gorgeously rich black fruit aromas and flavours. Pleasant tarry-tart black cranberry on the finish. Full-bodied with a velvet smooth texture.

Carignan food pairings: beef braciole stuffed with sausage and currants, beef stews, meat fondue.

Best Beef Wine

This Santa Carolina Specialties Carignan 2013 was reviewed on March 14, 2019 by Natalie MacLean

More Vintages: 2012  2011  2010  2009  2008 

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Pricing & Stock Information

  • BCLDB
  • 105676
  • $30.88 
  • Check Stock

Reviews and Ratings

Wineboy rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Lovely richness on a full bodied beauty. Classic herbs often seen with Carignan with with a ripeness that makes these herb notes attractive and enticing. In 2018 this wine is ....almost smooth..... almost. Drink now if you wish or age for a short time only (ie. 1 year)
Greg Hughes rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

This wine comes from two growers in the Cauquenes subregion of the Maule Valley. These vines are close to 100 years old and they have root systems reaching so far into the water table that they do not require irrigation. These very special vines produce less fruit, but what is produced is concentrated and delicious. They age this wine for around a year on large format barrels (300-400L). Unsurprisingly to those of us familiar with Carignan, they hold it back and cellar it so it can mellow a bit first.
A nice crimson colour - not particularly dark.
The aromas have some lovely leather, strawberry, peaches (yes peaches), cherry, and incense.
The flavours are unique and elegant. This is not a bruiser Chilean wine. It is supposed to showcase a unique grape that was once a lynchpin to the industry in the early 20th century. It takes a back seat to Carmenere and a myriad of others, but Santa Carolina has made something conversation-worthy here. Yum!
Pair it with veggie burgers made with onion and pinto bean.
Andrew Bernardo rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

There is a fun and playful candied fruit edge to this wine. Other notes of cherry cola, black briar, flowers, iron and some toast. 90 points. (www.ottawawinejournal.com)
Sylvain Segard rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Deep purple bowl.fragrant dark berries, herbs, and pepper on the nose. Medium balanced tannins. Medium-full body. Juicy mouthfeel with fresh dark cherries and cola notes. Score 90.
(S.Segard, Reviewed Nov. 19, 2017)
Sean O'Regan - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Deep ruby/purple in the glass. Berry fruit and spice up front with some green herbal notes behind. Medium full bodied, with good concentration of dark berry and cherry fruit with oak spice. Juicy and fresh with fine chalky tannins.
Tasted Nov, 2017
David BREUKELMAN rated this wine as 85/100
From the Cauquenes Valley, Santa Carolina Specialities 2013, dry-farmed Carignan is indeed special, full-bodied and concentrated with rich black fruit, tart red berry, pepper spice and clean mineral flavours on the palate. Produced from 80 plus year old vines the Carignan grapes for this wine are dry farmed, meaning vines are not irrigated and must rely on the rain water from nature. Enjoy now and for the next three years with a juicy grilled ribeye steak. - Community Wine Reviews

2 Members would buy this wine again

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