The first time I had Carignane was when visiting Priorat maybe 6 or 7 years ago. I recall it being a bit rustic there with strong tannins. Ridge's carignane is fruiter with red and dark fruits of (dark strawberry, red plum, dark cherry, bramble), but with a little rusticity at the edge (say desicated flowers like the ones your wife left in the vase a few days too long knowing it would probably be a while before you got around to thinking of it again), a little cola, nutmeg, and that Ridge sawdust from the american oak they like to use. For the most part the oak is really well integrated by now, but maybe still a little on top of the wine, and the structure of the wine is extremely pleasant w/ high chalky tannins that hold up the fruit and a little mineral energy giving it some vibration on the palate. The tannins are softer than what I recall from Priorat's Carignane.
by Key_Candle9928