What is Carbonic Maceration?

In the February issue of the Review of Washington Wines there are two wines that were fermented by carbonic maceration: the 2022 Ita Nouveau of Zinfandel and the 2022 Hoquetus "La Syranique" Carbonic Syrah. Both are distinctive young wines from red grapes.

Carbonic maceration is an anaerobic technique where carbon dioxide is pumped on the top of a sealed container filled with whole grape clusters. The gas permeates the grape skins and start fermentation at intracelluar level, a process taking place in the intact berries. The result is a fruity wine with low tannins. The process is commonly used to produce Beaujolais Nouveau. The wines can be drunk young and have limited aging potential.

More New Wines

Here's a selection of French and American Wines tasted recently.

Rhone Wines

2020 Roger Sabon Lirac ($23.99 - Esquin) - Lirac is just across the river from Châteauneuf du Pape. Produced from Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, this shows a deep purplish ruby color and ripe aromas of blackberry, blueberry, black currant, black roses, tobacco, lavender, oy olive and spiced incense. The flavors are thick and fleshy, marked by licorice, dark chocolate, French roast and minerals. The saturation continues on the back with macerated berries, roasted nuts and burnt charcoal, followed by a heady (15% alcohol), spiced (cinnamon, nutmeg) ripe tannin finish. Super value. 18.5/20 points.

2020 Domaine Saint Galet Châteauneuf du Pape ($40.99 - Esquin) - Composed of 80% Grenache, 12% Mourvèdre and 8% Syrah, this displays a deep ruby color and rich aromas of fraises de bois, blueberries, brambly currants, black roses, sweet tobacco, lavender, olive tapenade and spiced incense. The flavors are deliciously mouth filling with red and blue fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, black tea and mas minerals. On the back the wine fills out with macerated fruits, roasted nuts, fraise and cassis liqueurs and suede leather, followed by a spiced ripe tannin finish. "So delicious," says Lynn. 18.5+/20 points.

Burgundy Wines

2020 Justin Girardin Santenay Blanc, "Les Terrasses de Bievaux" ($36.99 - Esquin) - Santenay is near the southern end of the Côte de Beaune. This shows a brilliant lemon-gold color and floral aromas of pear, peach, Crenshaw melon, citrus, pear blossoms, acacia flowers and yellow incense. The flavors are vivid, pure Chardonnay, and simultaneously crisp and viscous, with white fruits that are accented by pear skins, peach stones and stony minerals. On the back, the wine sharpens its focus with poire and pêche liqueurs and touches if almond and lemon zest on the finish. 18.5/20 points.

2020 Savigny-les-Beaune, "Les Gollardes" ($38.99 - Esquin) - Savigny is situated northwest of Beaune. This shows a deep ruby color and rich aromas of fraises de bois, black currants, black roses, sweet tobacco, and incense. The flavors are ample yet deep and focused, with wild fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, black tea and hillside minerals. On the back, the wine takes a chewy texture, with sensations of macerated fruits, roasted nuts, mocha, fraise and créme de cassis liqueurs and kidskin, followed by a ripe moderate tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

2019 Joseph Drouhin Côte de Beaune ($59.99 - Esquin) - This comes from a 1.5 hectare Domaine vineyard plus declassified Premier Cru Beaune wines. It exhibits a deep brick red color and seductive aromas of fraises de bois, black currants, blood orange, crushed roses, tobacco leaf, wild violets and incense. The flavors are simultaneously supple and vigorous, with red fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa powder, black tea and minerally earth. On the back, the wine fills out with pressed berries, toasted nuts, fraise and cassis liqueurs and orange peel, followed by a lingering soft tannin finish. 19/20 points. 

American Chardonnay

2021 Wente Chardonnay, Monterey, Aroyo Secco, Riva Ranch Vineyard ($19.99 - Safeway) - This is a delicious Chardonnay. Brilliant lemon-gold colored, it possesses floral aromas of Asian pear-apple, Elberta peach, papaya, lemon custard, apple blossoms, acacia flowers and vanillin. The flavors, as well, are appealing, with bright yellow fruits that are accented by grape and pear skins, peach stones and hillside minerals. The vibrancy continues on the back with pear and peach liqueurs and touches of hazelnut and oak on the finely fruited finish. 18.5/20 points.

2021 Ferrari Carano Chardonnay, Sonoma County ($22.99 - Safeway) - Ferrano Carano put Sonoma Chardonnay in the limelight in the 1980's. This vintage displays a brilliant lemon-gold color and floral aromas of pear-apple, white peach and citrus, with aromas of apple and orange blossoms, acacia flowers and white incense. The flavors, as well, are appealing, with white fruits that are accented by grape skins, peach stones and minerals. The back picks up pear and peach liqueurs, hazelnuts and touches of crème fraiche and baking spices, followed by a finely fruited finish. "They really know how to make Chardonnay," says Lynn. 18.5+/20 points.

2021 Willamette Valley Vineyards Dijon Clone Chardonnay, Willamette Valley ($26.99 - Safeway) - Brilliant lemon-gold colored, this wine emits aromas of Anjou pear, white peach, Casaba melon, Key lime, apple blossoms, acacia flowers and wet stone. The flavors are brisk, with yellow and green fruits that are imbued by grape and pear skins, peach stones and ferruginous minerals. The back picks up poire and pêche liqueurs and lime zest on the way to a lingering crisp yet finely fruited finish. 18.5+/20 points.