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Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $52.78
Colour: Lively, deep ruby-red; nature's gift. Perfume: Complex scent of ripe red fruit (mainly black cherry), spices,...
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $52.78
A fine, supple red, sporting velvety tannins, racy raspberry, cherry and plum fruit, joined by layers of spice, hot...
WE
92
WS
92
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Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $64.87
I thought the 2011 was the best ever from this stylish wine producer in Sardinia. But the 2012 is clearly better...
JS
94
VM
92
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Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $59.72
Very beautiful aromas of violets, purple fruit, fresh lavender and thyme follow through to a medium body with...
JS
93
WS
91
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Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $170.00
This is super for a second wine. Fantastic aromas of chocolate, berry and coffee. Yet very classy and subtle....
WS
92
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Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $135.78
What a second wine. This is so delicious with a dense palate and beautiful yet friendly structure. Velvety tannins...
VM
93
WE
93
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Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
1.5Ltr - Case of 6
Bottle: $299.94
Aromas of orange peel, walnuts and berries follow through to a full body, with a luscious tannins and fruit...
WE
93
JS
93
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Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $139.95
This is amazing for the second wine with incredible white truffle, stone and currant character. Purity of fruit on...
JS
94
WA
93
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Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $100.98
This is sensational, characterized by such purity and beauty and with aromas of blackberries, dark chocolate,...
JS
96
WE
95
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Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $100.64
This is sensational, characterized by such purity and beauty and with aromas of blackberries, dark chocolate,...
JS
96
WE
95
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $86.95
Intense aromas of blackcurrants, cedar and ripe tobacco with hints of violets, following through to a full-bodied...
JS
96
DC
95
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Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
1.5Ltr - Case of 3
Bottle: $198.95
Gorgeous perfumes of plums, berries, light chocolate and walnut follow through to a medium body, fine tannins and...
JS
95
DC
94
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Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $77.63
Gorgeous perfumes of plums, berries, light chocolate and walnut follow through to a medium body, fine tannins and...
JS
95
DC
94
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Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
1.5Ltr - Case of 3
Bottle: $163.95
94-95 Savory black and salted-olive character with oyster shells and black licorice. Fine, almost powdery yet firm...
JS
95
VM
94
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Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $76.66
94-95 Savory black and salted-olive character with oyster shells and black licorice. Fine, almost powdery yet firm...
JS
95
VM
94
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 3
Bottle: $102.36
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $55.85
91-93 The second wine of this terrific estate, which has been playing with the stars of the appellation for several...
JD
93
DC
91
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Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $93.90
Dark chocolate and floral notes on the nose. This has an appealing density on the palate, lovely weight, with a...
DC
93
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $103.97
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $152.16

Carignan Red Bordeaux Zinfandel Pre-Arrival Wine

Carignan is an ancient blue-skinned grape varietal, thought to be indigenous to the Aragon region of Spain. However, today it is most commonly associated with the fine wines of southern France, and has been grown in many countries around the world which have the warm and dry conditions it requires to thrive. Carignan is recognized as being quite a sensitive vine, highly susceptible to all kinds of rot and mildew, although producing excellent results when given the right conditions and handled correctly. Its high tannin levels and acidity make the Carignan grapes very astringent, and as such, they are often used as a blending grape to give body to other, lesser bodied varietals. Despite this, with careful treatment, Carignan can produce superb single varietal wines packed full of character and unique attributes.

There are few regions in the world with stricter regulations in regards to wine production and grape varietals than those found in Bordeaux, France. Here, in the home of the world's finest wines, the type and quality of grapes used is of utmost importance, and the legendary wineries which work on the banks of the Gironde river have mastered the careful art of juice blending to find the perfect balance for their produce. Whilst there are six 'official' Bordeaux grapes, the two key varietals for almost every fine Bordeaux wine are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and with good reason. Whilst Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are renowned for their acidity and astringency, strong fruit and spice flavors and full body, Merlot grapes are notably rounded, soft, fleshy and lighter on tannin. The combination of these two varietals, along with a small percentage of (commonly) Petit Verdot or Cabernet Franc, is the perfect balancing act – the two grape varietals cancel out each others weaker points, and accentuate all that is good about the other.

The precise origins of what became known as the Zinfandel grape variety are uncertain, although it has clear genetic equivalents in both Puglia and Croatia. However, when it was brought to the New World in the mid 19th century, it became known as the Zinfandel, and has been consistently popular and widely grown ever since. These very dark and very round grapes have a remarkably high sugar content, resulting in relatively high levels of alcohol in the wines they are made into, with bottles often displaying as much as fifteen percent. What makes the Zinfandel such an interesting grape, though, is the fact that the flavors produced by this varietal vary considerably depending on the climate they are grown in. In cooler valley regions, the Zinfandel grapes result in wines which hold strong flavors of tart and sweet fruits; raspberry, redcurrant and sweet cherry, held in a very smooth and silky liquid. Conversely, warmer regions result in more complex and spicy notes, including anise, pepper and hedgerow berries.