2005 Carignan Prima

Prima is Ch. Carignan’s top wine. Despite the property’s name, the wine is 100% Merlot, from vines that average 45 years in age. The nose of the 2005 has fragrant notes of vanilla, tobacco and five spice that gently open up in the glass. The palate is equally rich, with layers of violets, ripe blackcurrants and blueberries that complement the wine’s velvety texture. Medium- to full-bodied, it has a backbone of gentle acidity that gives the wine superb balance, leading to a long and precise finish. At a fraction of the price of some of its more illustrious neighbours, this gem from Ch. Carignan is drinking beautifully now.