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Carignan

Carignan is a red grape that is commonly blended with other red varieties. Naturally high in acidity and tannins, it makes a good partner with fuller, fruitier wines such as Grenache and Syrah. Carignan provides large yields in warm climates where it thrives, such as in Languedoc-Roussillon and Spain, and contributes deep color to blends. You can use Wine Enthusiast’s online Buying Guide to find the top-rated Carignan among our extensive Carignan wine reviews and easy-to-use database. Our Carignan reviews will give you a general idea what to expect from wines made from Carignan, and will help you find one that best suits your needs.

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Capichera 2001 Mantènghja Carignano (Isola dei Nuraghi)

Editors' Choice

Price $91

Dark as night, with licorice, lavender and blackberry aromas that are truly impressive. The palate is beyond deep, with over-the-top flavors of wild berry marmalade and chocolate. No surprise that it manages to finish in massive fashion. A total stud of a Carignan from Sardegna. Good 2010 and beyond. — M.S. (10/1/2006)

Santadi 2006 Terre Brune Superiore Carignano (Carignano del Sulcis)

Cellar Selection

Price $68

Terre Brune is an icon wine of Sardinia in the same way Sassicaia is an icon of coastal Tuscany. Helping to shine the quality spotlight on this beautiful Mediterranean island, this plush red wine boasts rich berry density and sophisticated background tones of smoke and spice. — M.L. (12/15/2011)

Cantina Santadi 2001 Rocca Rubia Riserva Carignano (Carignano del Sulcis)

Editors' Choice

Price $28

Who knew Carignan could be this nice? After an initial blast of earth and alcohol subside, what’s left is a model Sardinian red with intoxicating cola, lemon peel, herb and deep-fruit aromas. The mouthfeel is ideal and the flavor profile is like a dynamite keg full of blackberry, chocolate and vanilla. Intense and interwoven. — M.S. (2/1/2005)

Cantina Santadi 2001 Terre Brune Superiore Carignano (Carignano del Sulcis)

Editors' Choice

Price $66

Rugged and aggressive, but that’s just fine considering how big, broad and tannic this Carignan is. Look for fiery licorice aromas with notes of citrus peel and black cherry. The palate offers tons of weight, richness and spice. — M.S. (10/1/2006)

Capichera 2006 Mantènghja Carignano (Isola dei Nuraghi)

Here’s an oak-aged expression of Carignano that shows the very best of winemaking on the Italian island of Sardinia. This is an important wine with alluring complexity and sophistication. The aromas include elements of red fruit, mineral and spice. It imparts sweet, enduring tannins in the mouth. — M.L. (9/1/2009)

Cantina Santadi 2003 Terre Brune Carignano (Carignano del Sulcis)

Online Exclusive

Price $56

Santadi’s Terre Brune is a wine that sets the bar for the region it represents: in this case, the island of Sardinia. The hot 2003 vintage delivers loads of red fruit and cherry that borders on cherry comfiture. The wine’s color is deep garnet with ruby highlights and background aromas include leather, cigar box, wet soil and exotic spice. Made with Carignano and… — M.L. (2/1/2008)

Capichera 2002 Assajé Carignano (Isola dei Nuraghi)

Editors' Choice

Price $42

Flush on the nose and loaded with leather, earth and spicy plum fruit. The palate is warm and saturated with all sorts of berries framed by genuine, appropriate tannins. Then on the finish it turns smoky and coffee-like. Simply an excellent, juicy, satisfying red wine. — M.S. (2/1/2005)

Cantina Santadi 2005 Terre Brune Superiore Carignano (Carignano del Sulcis)

Price $68

Terre Brune is a benchmark wine for the Mediterranean island of Sardinia. It is made with Carignano (with 5% Bovaleddu, a native grape) and shows superior concentration and richness thanks to extremely low yields in the vineyard. The wine is elegant and shows extraordinary harmony of fruit, spice, softness and structure. — M.L. (9/1/2009)

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2009 Merry Edwards

Made from eight vineyards located throughout this sprawling appellation…

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