Monthly Spotlight
Each month we spotlight one of our small-production, single-vineyard wines with a deep dive into the vineyard location, property history, wine style and pairing preferences. This month, our monthly spotlight is…
2019 Buchignani Ranch Carignane
10% off 1-11 bottle purchases, 15% off 12+. Members receive 15% off 1-11 bottle purchases, 20% off 12+.
TASTING NOTE
Black cherry with tobacco leaf notes on the nose, palate of fig jam, refreshing acidity and hint of cocoa on the finish. JO (12/20)
WINEMAKER VIDEO
LOCATION
Northwestern edge of the Alexander Valley appellation, in the hills bordering upper Dry Creek Valley.
HISTORY
Stan Buchignani’s ranch is located on Dutcher Creek Road, in the hills on the far western edge of the Alexander Valley appellation. Stan’s grandfather, Dominico Cerruti, first planted a five acre block in 1927. His father, Dino, added seven acres in the 1940s and planted the last in the early 1950s. The vineyard’s climate bears a strong resemblance to that of upper Dry Creek Valley three miles to the south, where days are quite warm. Fog, which tends to hang low in the valley, burns off sooner in the hills. Carignane from the Buchignani Ranch is complex, its fine structure much like that of a field-blend zinfandel.
PAIRINGS
Recipe: Crispy Eggplant & Ricotta Roulades
A hearty vegetarian dish that’s perfect for the chilly winter months, this recipe features crispy breaded eggplant rolled around a creamy ricotta filling and baked with a simple homemade tomato sauce. Put it together on a lazy Sunday afternoon for a special meal to start the week.
RECENT PRESS
Owen Bargreen: 95 Points
“The 2019 ‘Buchignani Ranch’ Carignane is sourced from very old vines. The heady aromatics impress with Earl Grey tea, black currant jelly and smoky undertones that all take shape in the glass. The palate is intense and well-balanced with heady dark and red fruits that collide with minerals and scorched earthy tones. This wine is truly in its own category.” (August 2021)