TN: 2007 Joseph Swan Vineyards Carignane Cotes du Rosa

WINE TALK
1
  • 2007 Joseph Swan Vineyards Carignane Cotes du Rosa - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (11/16/2009)
    13.5% alcohol. This is just such good stuff. Amazingly complex. Dark red color. Stunningly complex nose of black olives, pepper, and wild strawberry fruit. In the mouth, still quite tight but just delightfully pure and elegant with layers of flavor that just tickle the palate. Plenty of acidity. Long finish. Still tight. Given that the 1996 was great in 2008, I can see this enjoying a decade or more of very pleasant life. An amazing QPR. A-

Posted from CellarTracker

2

Was this in the recent club shipment?

J

3

I was wondering the same thing. I remember it being in the newsletter, but I didn’t receive one.

4

Any idea about how old the Carignan plantings are?

5

I have no idea if it was in the club shipment … I had so much Swan coming in. I think maybe it was? I really can’t remember. But it’s freaking phenomenal stuff.

I think the vines are something in the 90+ range on age. Astoundingly low yields.

6

pretty messed up to list it as Carignane … I thought that was supposed to be a secret that only the cool people new about.

J

7

Hahaha … well the word got out to CT at some point … funny since that’s not what’s on the label. It’s just Cotes du Rosa. And it’s so freaking delicious.

8

Speaking of Swan - they just released an email on 98 and 2000 Lone Redwood Zin. I haven’t had either of these.

Any opinions? [thankyou.gif]

9

They’re both pretty freaking good … the 98 probably will be a little bit on the downslide … but it was tasty last year. My last couple bottles were feeling a touch tired early this year. But the 2000 is still alive and kicking … delicious. Awesome deals.

10

Sounds delicious.

Tom, have you had carignane from Porter Creek or Lioco? If yes, how does the Swan compare?

11

Brett – actually have had both the Porter Creek and Lioco. I like the freshness and lightness of the Swan; it’s a versatile wine. It’s my favorite of the three. I like the Porter Creek a lot, though, although the 2006 was a bit heavy and muddled when I last tasted it. It’s a wine I always tend to like – that last taste likely was just a tasting room/bottle open too long thing. The Lioco I had recently and enjoyed, too, although I thought it was a riper, rounder style than the Swan. All three very good wines. If you like the PC and Lioco, I think you’d dig adding the Swan to the party.

12

Thanks for the info Tom; I’ve never had a Swan I didn’t like so I will seek the carignane out.