Abbotts & Delaunay Les Fleurs Carignan Vieilles Vignes 2023

With this exquisite, pure Carignan, Laurent Delaunay once again proves what a skilled winemaker he is. The Carignan grape isn't necessarily known for its youthful allure. It can be high in acid, tannin, and bitterness, which is why many winemakers use it only in blends.

Laurent knows, however, that Carignan harvested from old vines in favorably situated vineyards can yield impressive, concentrated red wine. And selecting suitable vineyards happens to be one of his talents.


Laurent harvests a portion of the Carignan for this Les Fruits Sauvages from vines over fifty years old on the estate near Narbonne. For added structure and ripeness, he complements these grapes with Carignan harvested from a vineyard with limestone and clay soils in the Minervois region. For freshness and fruitiness, he also adds a portion of grapes from a cool-situated vineyard in the Corbières region.

After fermentation, this balanced blend is aged 80% in oak barrels, a small portion of which are new. This results in a beautiful, full-bodied red wine with a perfect balance of juicy fruit, ripeness, and a powerful, velvety texture. With notes of blackcurrant, plum, fig, garrigue, and mocha, this is a delicious pairing with lamb stew, game, or aged cheeses.