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This red grape variety, that originated in Aragon, Spain, was introduced in France in the 12th century. Despite massive pulling out of vines in recent years, over 100,000 hectares of vines continue to be cultivated in France, primarily in three southern regions: Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence and, to a lesser degree, Corsica. Carignan is a grape variety that growers and oenologists alike are passionate about, as its quality can range from mediocre to excellent, depending on yield, age of the vines and vinification. Its reputation has suffered from situations involving high yields that do nothing for expressing the characteristics of the grape. However, if the vines are planted in calcareous clay, granitic sand, or schistous soils on slopes with good exposure, Carignan grapes can yield rich, generous, wines with flavours of black fruit that require a little ageing in order for the tannins to mellow. Rarely vinified on its own, Carignan is often blended with Grenache Noir, Cinsault, Mourvèdre or Syrah, however Les Jamelles offers you a cuvée that is exclusively crafted from this grape variety.

The principal grape variety of the Cahors appellation, Malbec is also grown in the Bordeaux region. It is also grown in Argentina to produce wines that hugely popular around the world. This early-ripening grape yields a wine that is extremely fruity and fragrant with deep colour and solid tannins that make it well suited to laying down. In order to express its full potential, this rather capricious grape variety needs to be grown in poor soil and harvested at optimal maturity.