In the glass
Aroma: black fruit, liquorice, smoke, garrigue
Palate: blackberry, liquorice, tar, wild herbs
Pure old-vine Carignan from Aupilhac; slightly smoky with aromas of black fruit and liquorice. A reference for the variety in the Languedoc.
What it pairs with
-
Saucisson sec
Carignan's wild-herb register and tar notes pair classically with Languedoc charcuterie. -
Cassoulet
Local Carignan and local stew is the canonical Languedoc match. -
Grilled merguez sausage
Carignan's structure carries the chilli-spiced sausage.
History
Le Carignan was an early cuvée of Aupilhac, bottled as Vin de France because varietal-monocepage Carignan was excluded from the local AOC rules. The wine helped argue for Carignan's quality status in the modern Languedoc movement.
- 1989 — First vintage of Le Carignan
- 2010 — Estate Demeter-certified biodynamic
Facts
- Producer
- Domaine d'Aupilhac
- Grapes
- Carignan (100%)
- Classification
- Vin de France
- Oak
- 12 months in older barriques
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 22-32 at retail
- Drinking window
- 3-15 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1989
- Biodynamic
- Demeter Certified
- Organic
- ECOCERT
- Vegan
- Yes (no animal-derived fining)
Frequently asked about Le Carignan
What does Aupilhac Le Carignan taste like?
Black fruit, liquorice, smoke and garrigue on the nose; blackberry, liquorice, tar and wild herbs on the palate. Medium-bodied with firm tannins and a long finish.
When should I drink Aupilhac Le Carignan?
Drink between 3 and 15 years from vintage. Carignan rewards bottle age: top vintages can hit a savoury sweet spot at 8-12 years.
What grapes are in Aupilhac Le Carignan?
One hundred percent old-vine Carignan from the Aupilhac vineyard. Labelled Vin de France because the local AOC excludes single-varietal Carignan.
What food pairs with Aupilhac Le Carignan?
Saucisson sec is the canonical pairing; Carignan's wild-herb register matches Languedoc charcuterie. Cassoulet and grilled merguez are equally strong matches.