WOOO! This wine has me feeling like Archimedes today, ready to hop out and run naked, shouting ‘Eureka! Eureka!’. I promised the others around here I won’t actually do that - but we may have just discovered the next big adult liquid candy.

This is fascinating stuff - completely different from anything you’ve had, and mighty tasty. With TWO 94 points scores and a 93+ in tow**. And the best part? It’s yours for a meager $22!

Imagine this, a table full of fine Pinots, Bordeaux, Napa Cabs, some in the $100-250+ range, each maybe a couple of inches low and an almost empty bottle of THIS with a dirty sticky label, being passed around for second, third and tenth opinions. Yea, it is a mere 22 bucks today and that happened, we swear.

Like we said though, with enough acidity to keep you salivating all night, it’s not a red for everyone. Vinous nailed it with their description of “a throat tickling combination of long-lasting flavor”. Let’s break it down to explain why…

First, the winery and the winemaker. The one Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate “tasted a very good collection of wines from Morandé, nicely crafted by winemaker Ricardo Baettig.” Oh, and he is “one of South America’s most innovative and creative winemakers” according to Master of Wine Tim Atkin.

Still though, it’s not just Morandé, Baettig, the big scores, or even the ridiculously low price that makes it truly unique. It’s the VIGNO bit. Per Wine Advocate “the VIGNO group of producers of Cariñena from Maule in one of the most interesting tastings of my trip… The group has grown from the 12 founding members in 2012 to 17 today. Most of their wines are 100% Cariñena, although the rule remains that they have to be at least 85%, mostly because there are some filed blends in the old vines. Quality has been polished, and the wines have been stripped of some initial excesses in ripeness, extraction and oak to a much more balanced and elegant style.”

Balanced, elegant, and JUICY. Like DRIPPING with succulent raspberries, blueberries, even dragon fruit! You’ll wish you had two tongues.

And you’ll wish you bought two cases!

94 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“There is varietal rusticity and typicity in the 2020 VIGNO, produced with 93% Cariñena and 7% Syrah from Melozal in Maule. It’s serious and ripe without excess at 14% alcohol, with good freshness, red and black fruit, violets, earth and some tree bark. It’s tasty and supple. It matured in a lightly toasted 4,000-liter foudre and used barrels for 18 months. It should get better with some more time in bottle. Drink 2024-2029.”

94 Points – James Suckling

“Bright and very racy nose with vibrant sour red cherries, crushed blueberries, flowers and a hint of mineral. So juicy and bright with a firm, almost mineral quality to the center palate. A little sharp but so succulent with fine, fresh tannins aplenty. Really drinkable and long. Enjoy now.”

93+ Points – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous

“The 2020 Carignan Morandé contains a dash of 7% Syrah from Melozal, Maule, and was aged for 18 months in foudres. Purple in hue. The aromas feature ripe plum and blueberry with faint balsamic notes. Dry and juicy on the palate. The reactive tannins and tart acidity make for a throat tickling combination of long-lasting flavor. Drink 2025-2040.”