2023 Cuda Ridge Wines Carménère from Little Dog Vineyard
Photo ©Michael Kelly
A Brief History of Carménère
The history of the Carménère varietal is as fascinating as it is happenstance! It was once one of the grapes in the Médoc region of Bordeaux. It served a similar purpose as Petit Verdot does today – producing a deep red/purple ink on wines. It was one of the original six red grapes of Bordeaux. Carménère originates from the French word for crimson (carmin) which refers to the crimson color of the autumn foliage.
(Photo from Wikipedia)
When the Phylloxera plague hit in 1867 destroying most of the vineyards in Europe, many thought the Carménère grape was extinct. It wasn’t until 150 years later that it was discovered that Chile had preserved the Carménère grape thinking it was Merlot (from clippings planted from France). DNA confirmed that it was the missing 6th varietal of Bordeaux.
Carménère Today
Carménère grows mainly in Chile, specifically the Colchagua Valley, Rapel Valley and in the Maipo Province. It is also grown in the Veneto region of Italy, and recently several wineries in Mendocino, Livermore, Lodi, Napa and Calaveras are producing it, albeit in small quantities. Walla Walla, Washington also has some root stock growing in Carménère. In California only 111 acres are producing Carménère which accounts for .000075% of the red grape harvest. Interestingly while in California the red grape harvest was down 25%, Carménère harvest was up 10%. These numbers are from the USDA Grape Crush Report for 2024, their errata dated August 25, 2025.
Uniqueness of Carménère
Photo from Pat Spangler from Spangler Vineyareds/Oregon of Carménère Vineyard
As a varietal, it has the deep ruby coloring and aromas of red fruits. Tannins are softer and milder than Cabernet Sauvignon, thus its use in blending to soften a strong Cabernet. The use is like the use of Merlot in formulating an enjoyable blend. Chile produces a 100% Carménère which has a cherry and fruity flavor but has traces of smoke and earthy notes with the inky coloration.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The 2023 Cuda Ridge Carménère Little Dog Vineyard wine lived up to and exceeded the key characteristics of Carménère. It is 100% Little Dog Vineyard Carménère.On the eyes, a medium-heavy viscosity wine with a unique inviting deep purple/maroon coloration. On the nose, ripe Bing cherries greeted the senses. The palate is where this wine excelled. First the bright cherry taste was intense and concentrated. Plums and dark fruits then came forth with a hint of soft dry and wet earthen tones (minerality and forest floor) with black tea and leather in the background. The earthen notes are generally found in Chilean Carménère but not found too often in California. The finish was long lasting with mocha and pepper finishing off the enjoyment with a hint of Eucalyptus and Cedar.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Of special note was the smoothness of the finish, silky and smooth tannins like a tranquil lake. This is unique to the varietal/grapes and the winemaking in which Larry Dino produces this wine.
The wine is aged in French oak barrels (50%) and neutral American oak (50%) for 17 months. The wine comes in at 13.6% alcohol and is sold at $50/bottle. Only 48 cases were made so this will go fast. It was just recently released at a club member event. This wine immediately after tasting made my annual “Best Wines” tasted for 2025 (full list published in December).
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
A twist to our normal food and wine pairing. Tasting this vintage for the first time, was unsure of its tasting profile and characteristics, being strong or mellow.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
So, two sauces were prepared this evening to go with the seared and BBQ’ed tri-tip steak. The first was an Argentina Chimichurri sauce consisting of fresh flat-leaf parsley, garlic, minced onion, distilled red wine vinegar, kosher salt, dried oregano, hot pepper flakes, ground black pepper and extra-virgin olive oil (the green sauce in the top of picture). The second sauce (on the bottom of picture) is generally used for a Caprese steak consisting of olive oil, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, kosher salt and black pepper. Accompanied by a garden salad with pepita seeds, diced tomatoes, green onions and sharp cheddar cheese. Long and short grain wild rice were also served.
With the wine possessing smooth and silky tannins, the Argentina Chimichurri sauce worked best with the grilled meat and provided a scrumptious food and wine pairing.
The Winery
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Larry Dino, owner and winemaker at Cuda Ridge Wines, now has all six modern Bordeaux varietals available at the tasting room. The Carménère is the first locally produced wine varietal in the Livermore AVA.
One of the solid and simple marketing ideas that Larry devised is his coloring scheme: White label for his Reserve wines, Black label for his non-Bordeaux wines and purple label for his Bordeaux varietals. Obviously Carménère falls in his purple label.
His Carménère will surely garner many awards in the upcoming wine competitions. Truly a good price point given the uniqueness and scarcity of Carménère plantings in California and the only current Livermore grown Carménère being offered. Besides the Little Dog Vineyard Carménère he offers two other vineyards designated Carménère wines: Insel Family Vineyard and Casa de Viñas. These other two will have stories written on them shortly. These two special Carménère wines will be released to the public on September 27th.
His awards for these delicious wines are as follows:
2020 Carménère Insel– Silver Medal, 2022 San Francisco Chronicle Competition
2020 Carménère Little Dog Vineyard – Wine Enthusiast, 92 points
2019 Carménère – Gold Medal, 2021 Orange County Fair
The list of awards for all his other wines is extensive and would direct you to his website to view the dozens and dozens of noteworthy awards.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly