What was once one of the most planted grape varieties in France, Carignan was overtaken by international varieties such as Merlot at the end of the 20th century, but is now enjoying a resurgence.
A grape known by many names including Cariñena, Mazuelo and Samsó in Spain, Carignano in Italy and Carignane in the United States, this red grape variety is characterised by thick-skinned berries and high-yielding vines which can retain acidity, even under the hot Mediterranean sun.
Carignan-based wines have deep colour and express aromas of red fruits like raspberry and spicy notes including cinnamon and pepper. They are often medium-bodied with a high level of austere tannins. Best examples will come from old vines (vieilles vignes) which show more concentration and elegance, either as single varietal wines or blends. Garnacha/Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre are common blending partners.
Scroll down to discover 14 Carignan wines to try from DWWA 2025
It’s likely to find Carignan-based wines coming from Southern France, especially Languedoc-Roussillon, parts of Spain and Sardinia in Italy. It has also grown to some extent in countries such as Argentina, Chile, Israel and South Africa.
At this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards, Spain’s Priorat renditions of this variety continued to impress the experts with Vall Llach, Mas de la Rosa Gran Vinya Classificada 2023 receiving a Best in Show medal. To further underline its quality and potential, judges commented that the ‘purity and finesse of this wine makes a convincing case for Carinyena as the pre-eminent variety for Priorat.’
Chile also saw success with three Gold medals awarded; Italy and France too with a selection of 90+ point varietal wines to seek out.
Carignan Day is held every year on the last Thursday in October. To celebrate, we highlight 14 awarded varietal Carignan wines from DWWA 2025 to try., with more to search at awards.decanter.com
International Carignan Day: 14 awarded wines to celebrate with
Best in Show
Vall Llach, Mas de la Rosa Gran Vinya Classificada, Priorat, Spain 2023
Best in Show, 97 points
Priorat has been almost as successful in our Best in Show pantheon as Barolo – this concrete-aged Carinyena is the region’s sixth laureate. This purity and finesse of this wine makes a convincing case for Carinyena as the pre-eminent variety for Priorat – and, contrariwise, for Priorat as the world’s greatest location for Carignan. It’s also a plaudit for concrete ageing, whether in egg or otherwise. The wine is a dark black-red in colour, and the aromas are less fruity than most; it’s one of those wines which seems to smell as much of a landscape as of fruit. It’s only two years old, yet the ageing has been so successfully managed that it has the seamlessness and harmony of a much older wine. On the palate, it is refined, graceful and shawl-like, full of lingering dark-fruit intensity but counterbalanced by the wine’s unstrenuous cashmere tannin and insinuating, palate-lapping acidity: extraordinary finesse for a variety often regarded as workmanlike elsewhere. Alcohol 15.5%
Chile
Bouchon, Vigno, Maule 2022
Gold, 95 points
Compelling red cherries, raspberries and strawberries waft across the nose and infiltrate the energetic palate with milk chocolate tannins and a lovely floral grip to end. Alc 14%
Casas Patronales, Vigno, Cauquenes, Maule 2022
Gold, 95 points
Striking black cherries, plums and delicate florals brim over the palate with its plump texture, plush tannins and evocative smoky acidity. Long and herbaceous. Alc 14%
Undurraga, Vigno, Maule 2022
Gold, 95 points
Inviting inky black forest fruit and clove spice melds with the impressive oak structure, folds into the black tea tannins and encircles the lengthy finish. Alc 14.5%
Morandé, Vigno, Maule 2022
Silver, 90 points
Ripe forest fruit on the nose with ripe strawberries, red currants, plums and a touch of vanilla. Lively and refreshing. Alc 14%
France
Abbotts & Delaunay, Vieilles Vignes, IGP Pays d’Oc, Languedoc-Roussillon 2023
Silver, 90 points
Aromatic nose, with lifted nuances of blackcurrant, wine gums, blueberries, dried herbs and black pepper. Juicy palate, with well-integrated tannins. Alc 13.5%
Claude Vialade, 100 Ans Mon Amour, IGP Aude, Languedoc-Roussillon 2023
Silver, 90 points
Aromas of spring flowers, cocoa, fresh black berries and touches of leathery and smoky undertones. Velvety palate, vibrant and fruity. Alc 13.5%
Israel
Recanati, Reserve Wild, Jerusalem Hills, Judean Hills 2018
Silver, 93 points
Leafy redberry fruit and sour cherries lead into dense black fruits, spice, mocha complexity, and ripe, silky tannins. Alc 14%
Italy
Santadi, Rocca Rubia, Carignano del Sulcis Riserva, Sardinia 2022
Silver, 91 points
Scents of violets, cherry, raspberry, Mediterranean herbs, very refined with fine dusty tannins and long-lasting with red petals finish. Alc 14.5%
Siddùra, Bàcco, Isola dei Nuraghi, Sardinia 2023
Silver, 91 points
Ripe, juicy wild strawberry, damson and liquorice, with intense and complex notes of spice and dried flowers, framed by velvety tannins. Alc 14.5%
Spain
Celler Masroig, Solà Fred, Montsant 2024
Value Gold, 95 points
Alive with red fruit pastille and floral perfumes, the palate also shows punchy cranberry acidity with a sweep of peppery spice and fresh herbs to end. Characterful and friendly. Alc 13.5%
Altavins, Selecció Carinyena, Terra Alta 2020
Silver, 93 points
Oaky nose with vanilla, cedar and blonde tobacco around a core of plummy fruit. Well rounded, with a silky texture. Alc 14.5%
Maset, Reserva 1777, Penedès 2021
Silver, 93 points
Complex on the nose, with aromas of meat, tobacco, dense blackberries, cedar, black plums and espresso. Energetic and vibrant palate. Alc 14%
Tosalet, Priorat 2019
Silver, 92 points
Notes of raspberry, cherry and sweet spices and hints of wet stone. Savoury and spicy on the palate, textured and elegant. Alc 15%
Search all DWWA 2025 results
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