Railsback Frères Winery
Railsback Frères Winery Cuvée Speciale Le Carignan
Red wine
4.0
Expert Rating
4.1
Regularly Reviewed
WINE DESCRIPTION
Railsback Frères Winery's Cuvée Speciale Le Carignan is a homage to revered sommelier producer Maxime Magnon and the Beaujolais Gang of Four, channeling their ethos into a Carignan blend that embraces whole-cluster fermentation with partial carbonic maceration. This yields a vibrant, crushable red wine, best enjoyed chilled or at cellar temperature. The Carignan grapes are sourced from the exceptional Tommy Town Thoroughbreds site in Santa Ynez within the Happy Canyon AVA, strategically shielded by marine winds on the eastern edge of the Santa Rita Hills. The vineyard's geological diversity, including serpentine, magnesium silicate, iron oxide composite, and crystalline quartz "chert," combined with clay loam topsoil, naturally restrains vine vigor. The grapes are vinified separately, employing whole bunches and partial carbonic maceration, then aged in neutral French oak for five months before bottling, showcasing the unique terroir in a wine of distinctive character.
NOTES FROM VINOVOSS SOMMELIER
Railsback Frères Winery Cuvée Speciale Le Carignan is a delightful red wine offering an easy-drinking experience.The nose is greeted with inviting aromas of ripe plum and cranberry, creating an enticing bouquet that promises a lively palate. On the palate, this light-bodied wine delivers a burst of fresh flavors, prominently featuring plum and cranberry notes. The addition of baking spices adds a subtle complexity, while a hint of sandalwood provides a touch of exotic allure. What sets this cuvée apart is its pronounced “umami” salinity, a distinctive characteristic attributed to the nearby ocean air. This light red is perfect for casual enjoyment, pairing seamlessly with a variety of dishes such as grilled chicken or pasta with tomato-based sauces. For those seeking a versatile red wine with a unique coastal influence, Railsback Frères Winery Cuvée Speciale Le Carignan is best enjoyed in its youth.
EXPERT RATING
4.0
DRINKING WINDOW
Now
2029
Profile
Sweetness:
Dry
Dry
Lusciously Sweet
Alcohol:
Moderate
Very Low Alcohol
Very High
Intensity:
Fragrant
Subtle
Powerful
Body:
Generous
Light Bodied
Full Bodied
Acidity:
Lean
Soft
Crisp
Tannin:
Firm
No Tannin
Grippy
GRAPES (1)
Carignan
ORIGINS
Winery: Railsback Frères Winery
Region: Central Coast California
The Central Coast of California is a wine lover's paradise, boasting a wide variety of climates, soils, and grape varieties. Located between San Francisco and Los Angeles, the Central Coast spans from Monterey County in the north to Santa Barbara County in the south. With its diverse topography and Mediterranean climate, the Central Coast is home to some of the most renowned wineries in the United States.
The Central Coast has a long and storied history of winemaking, dating back to the mid-1800s. The first vineyards were planted in the Santa Clara Valley, and by the late 1800s, the region was producing some of the finest wines in the country. The region's reputation for quality wines was further solidified in the early 1989, when the Santa Clara Valley was declared among the first American Viticultural Area (AVA) in the United States.CUSTOMER RATING
4.1
0 Review
This wine pairs well with...
