Two Shepherds Carignan Mendocino 2018

Winemaker William Allen and his partner Karen Daenen focus on small-batch wines made from Rhône varieties generally hard to find in California. Carignan is very uncommon in the state, but this wine comes across very personably. Drawn from the 75-year-old, dry-farmed Trimble Vineyard, this is an earthy, juicy, approachable, French-style California wine. Fermented 50% whole cluster with indigenous yeasts, it rested for eight months in neutral French oak. Expect bright red and black fruit framed by subtle, black-tea tannins. Certified organic, low-intervention/natural wine.