2022 Buchignani Carignane

Fresh black cherry on the nose with hints of star anise and sarsaparilla. Deep garnet in color with tart cranberry and dark chocolate on the palate. Medium bodied with refreshing acidity, good structure, and a brambly finish. MB (1/24)

These head-trained, low yielding, old vines struggled with the effects of the drought. A mild summer slowed ripening allowing the small crop to develop full flavor while preserving its fresh acidity. The blocks were harvested between the 23rd and 25th of August. In tasting it was clear that all five should be included in this classic carignane. Enjoyable now it will develop gracefully over the next six to eight years. SR (9/23)

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 Buchignani is complex, its fine structure much like that of a field-blend zinfandel.

Rainfall: 28 inches (below normal)
Bloom: Early May
Weather: 2022 was the third year of drought. Thankfully, we received Spring rains that helped the vines. These same rains caused shatter in our zinfandel, reducing their crop. Two heat spells pushed the vines to another early harvest.

Harvest Dates: 23 August – 25 August
Grapes: Average Brix 23.8˚
TA: 5.94 g/L
pH: 3.75
Fermentation: Natural primary and secondary (malolactic) fermentation.
Barrels: 100% air-dried American oak barrels (11% new, 26% five years old, and 63% five plus years old).
Aging: Fourteen months in barrel

Buchignani Ranch, hand harvested grapes; destemmed and crushed; fermented on the native yeasts, followed by a full malolactic on the naturally occurring bacteria; oak from barrel aging; minimum effective sulfur for this wine (35 ppm at crush, 55 ppm over the course of aging); pad filtered at bottling. In keeping with our philosophy of minimal intervention, this is the sum of our actions.

JebDunnuck.com: 93 Points “Another Alexander Valley release and 100% hillside old-vine Carignan, the 2022 Carignane Buchignani Ranch is deep purple-hued and gives up textbook varietal notes of mulberries, red plums, leather, peppery herbs, and loamy earth. It’s concentrated, has a medium-bodied mouthfeel, and present yet ripe, polished tannins. It’s a great example of the variety and will drink well for at least 8-10 years, although I generally aim for drinking most Carignan within a decade of the vintage.” -Jeb Dunnuck (August 2024)

Vinous Media: 93 Points “The 2022 Carignane Buchignani Ranch is loaded with bright, extroverted varietal fruit that rides the lines between berry and citrus—raspberry and orange, strawberry and tangerine—all seasoned with a dusting of crushed rocks, black pepper and purple flowers. The racy acidity is no joke, but there’s enough fruit to keep it on the rails. Lovely.” -Billy Norris (October 2024)

JamesSuckling.com: 92 Points “Quite fruity and fresh at first, then firms up nicely with moderate tannins and good acidity. An appetizing texture, a reasonable concentration of berries and cherries and a tangy finish. Made from 80-year-old vines. Drink now.” -Jim Gordon (May 2024)

Wine Enthusiast: 91 Points “The nose of this Carignan shows aromas of fresh raspberry, geranium and white pepper while the palate displays maraschino cherry, dark cocoa powder and salted caramel. The tannin and acid need a little time to integrate, but this should round out nicely.” -Tom Capo (June 2024)

Average Rating: 89.2

No. of Tasting Notes: 6

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