Calmel & Joseph La Fabrique Vieux Carignan

Founded in 1995, Calmel & Joseph is a maison de negoce specializing in Languedoc-Roussillon wines from private wineries from across the region. Over the years, they have built close personal relationships with a large number of growers from all appellations. Convinced of the extraordinary potential of this region, oenologist, Laurent Calmel, and Jerome Joseph work together on the vinification, blending and ageing of wines with the common purpose of demonstrating the little known yet unique quality of these Mediterranean terroirs. As well as their desire to produce high quality wines consistent with their terroirs, they are committed to making wines which reflect their convictions and experience.

Vineyards

This wine comes from a solitary group of Carignan vines planted in 1890. For 125 years, these vine stocks (the few casualties from over the last 120 years have been replanted on the same trunks) have yielded grapes perfectly adapted to their surroundings. Neither drought nor disease has managed to affect the quality of the grapes which possess a genuine local character.

Vinification

The grapes are hand-picked and placed into small trays (caissettes). They are then destemmed, but left uncrushed, before going into vat. Alcoholic fermentation lasts for 15 days at a temperature between 25°- 30°C. A major aerated pumping-over operation is carried out half-way through the alcoholic fermentation. The rest of the pumping-over is light, lasting only 5 minutes each day. The wine spends 27 days in vat and is then racked off and settled several times before being going back into vat for the start of malolactic fermentation.

Tasting Notes

Explosive red fruit aromas, much like the juice of very ripe grapes, with spices such as cinnamon and pepper adding richness to the aromatic spectrum. With a powerful attack, the palate is dense but fresh on the finish, with spicy and flinty aromas intertwined with notes of black fruit. This old Carignan is the embodiment of the Mediterranean temperament and the typical characteristics of Languedoc garrigue.

Carignan,

This wine comes from a solitary group of Carignan vines planted in 1890. For 125 years, these vine stocks (the few casualties from over the last 120 years have been replanted on the same trunks) have yielded grapes perfectly adapted to their surroundings. Neither drought nor disease has managed to affect the quality of the grapes which possess a genuine local character.

The grapes are hand-picked and placed into small trays (caissettes). They are then destemmed, but left uncrushed, before being going into vat. Alcoholic fermentation lasts 20 to 25 days at a temperature between 25°- 30°C. A major aerated pumping-over operation is carried out half-way through the alcoholic fermentation. The rest of the pumping-over is light, lasting only 5 minutes each day. Total vatting time 30 days. The wine is then racked and settled several times before undergoing its malolactic fermentation in vat over the autumn.

Aged in concrete vats for 6 months.

A dense, deep violet with inky black reflections. The nose is classically old Carignan with its aromas of fresh strawberry and grape followed by more intense notes of blackberry, black fig, and laurel but also green peppercorns. The tannins are well rounded, fine, very elegant, and persistent. In the mouth we find an exemplary 100% Carignan from vines planted in 1895 – a real “old Carignan” – with its fabulous red fruit, wonderful freshness, and rich texture full of juicy gariguette strawberries, white flowers, and exotic, spicy notes. This exceptional parcel selection is the expression of a superb altitude terroir that offers a superb vivacity characteristic of Carignan in counterpoint to the intense power of this emblematic Mediterranean variety.