Carignan Prima 2018 (750ML)

93 JS / 91 DE / 16.5 JR

Plum, ripe-blackberry, tar, chocolate and walnut aromas. It’s medium-to full-bodied with sleek, round tannins and a creamy texture. Delicious. Nicely done for the vintage. Rich and layered. 100% merlot. Try from 2022. - James Suckling

Warm, sun-kissed fruit on the nose hints to high alcohol with cinnamon and cedar touches - marks of the hot 2018 vintage. Rich, velvety tannins give this a full and sultry mouthfeel. Tannins are plush and really fill the mouth and cheeks. A 100% Merlot, this is demonstrative with generous blackcurrant, liquorice, exotic spices and dark chocolate. Acidity is there keeping things lively but this is quite a hefty, fleshy wine, however fans of this style and the 2018s in general will find much to like. Ageing for 12 months in French oak barrels.--Georgina Hindle, Decanter

The colour of elderberry juice and a purple rim. More immediately aromatic than the Ch Carignan Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux, and sweeter smelling, from both fruit and oak. The same extremely smooth, chocolate-texture tannins and even with the riper fruit profile, more obvious freshness. Richer on the mid palate and more generous overall. Masses of compact but rounded tannins. Chewy, long finish and needs time. - JH, JancisRobinson