Wine of the week: Mont Gravet Carignan 2019

This vintage of the Mont Gravet is another in a long line of outstanding cheap red French wine

This is the fifth vintage of the Mont Gravet carignan to appear on the blog, and the worst thing I can say about this French red is that the wine is so spot on for what we do here that I tend to take it for granted.

Which, given all the plonk in the world, is pretty stupid.

So know that the Mont Gravet Carignan 2019 ($10, purchased, 12.5%) is almost as well done as the legendary 2015 – a vintage so amazing that it even impressed a group of highly cynical, “we’ve seen it all” attendees at a seminar at an American Wine Society conference.

What does all of that mean in terms of the 2019? First, know that carignan, as a grape, isn’t especially fruity, and is usually used for blending. That it works so well as a varietal in this case speaks to the commitment of the company behind Mont Gravet. Second, that if you’re expecting a rich, full, ripe wine, this isn’t it. Which, to me, is part of its charm.

Look for some black fruit (figs, even?), some earth, and some spice. Somehow, despite is age and price, it’s still fresh and alive. Highly recommended, and sure to return to the Hall of Fame in 2022, as well as to be considered for the 2022 Cheap Wine of the Year.

Imported by Winesellers, Ltd.