Keep Calm and Carignan 2010 France

Keep Calm and Carignan 2010  made from 100% Carignan ( old vine-low yield) by the Chai au Quai for Laithwaites selling at £9.99 is a deep coloured wine with lots of character, it is young so the ruby core with purple rim are what I would expect. On the nose is a bouquet of spices complimented by black berry fruits which are juicy and fresh, there is a hint of leather and chocolate as well - the aromas invite you in and the flavours on the palate do not disappoint. The texture is noticeable immediately - silky and mouth coating, the tannins ripe and again silky and support the juicy black  fruit which is quite intense but kept fresh by the acidity and the alcohol adds to the admirable structure of the wine. The only aspect of the wine that lets it down is the length of the finish - this is much shorter than expected and disappointed all the tasters - but juicy dark fruits to its short end.
This is a wine that falls under the new designation of Vin de France ( Vin de Table with no Geographic Indication!) It is a new category which has to be made in France ( anywhere and may have mixed grapes from different region) and can have the variety on the label. It is a way that France sees that it can compete on the wider stage of the New World competative market.

Ready to drink now and at £9.99 from Laithwaites is a good buy! Enjoy.
Score : 85 ( it would have been 90 if the finish had been longer).

Quote from the Laithwaites website - This addition to the Chai au Quai range has Languedoc specialist Mark Hoddy's expertise (and humour) stamped all over it. He is an ardent fan of Carignan, an underdog grape once known mainly for cheap rosé. Treat it with respect, however - that is, harvest it at low yields from old vines - and you can produce the most amazing red wine.Mark went searching and discovered two parcels of Carignan from 80 and 100 year old vines in Fitou, with ridiculously low yields thanks to precipitous, deep shale slopes littered with those big galet stones you find in Châteauneuf. A year in French oak has lent a subtle touch of toasty spice to its fennel, liquorice and bold black fruit taste.