JAMES SUCKLING 94 POINTS - "Extremely perfumed with violet and blueberry aromas that follow through to a full body with creamy, refined tannins. Wonderful depth, due to the compact fruit and vertical line of tannins. Black pepper to the dark fruit. "
Uruguay has become identified with Tannat, just as Argentina became with Malbec. One of the finest estates representing the country is Bodega Garzon, a gorgeous, expansive property on the Atlantic coast that became the first winery to be LEEDS-certified (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) outside of North America. Founded in 1999 by Alejandro and Bettina Bulgheroni - a renowned agro-industrial entrepreneur - the winery managed to get world class Italian winemaker, Alberto Antonini (of Frescobaldi and Antinori fame), on board!
Garzon's hilly vineyards near the ocean are in a warm maritime climate, like a cross between Santa Barbara and Bordeaux. Grapes are hand-harvested in small bins and then hand-sorted and sent through an optical laser sorting machine to ensure that only the very best fruit gets to the bottle. Fermentation occurs with the native yeast in concrete "tulips," which force more of the skins to be submerged at the narrow top, and allows for a natural circulation of the fermenting juice. They made the uncommon choice of aging in untoasted French oak, which they feel maintains the individual integrity of the wines.
The mid-slope plot for this single vineyard wine was chosen among 100 different vineyard sites that they source from. In contrast to the typical French Tannat, this is dark and plush with a copious amount of velvet tannins. In a drinking prime right now, with some savory notes of tobacco and leather joining the dark- and soft red-fruited, spicey, and dark chocolate character of the wine. Pair with roast lamb (leg or rack) and aged cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano.
JAMES SUCKLING 94 POINTS - "Extremely perfumed with violet and blueberry aromas that follow through to a full body with creamy, refined tanninscompact fruit and vertical line of tannins. Black pepper to the dark fruit. Better in two or three years. Try after 2022."
Uruguay has become identified with Tannat, just as Argentina became with Malbec. One of the finest estates representing the country is Bodega Garzon, a gorgeous, expansive property on the Atlantic coast that became the first winery to be LEEDS-certified (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) outside of North America. Founded in 1999 by Alejandro and Bettina Bulgheroni - a renowned agro-industrial entrepreneur - the winery managed to get world class Italian winemaker, Alberto Antonini (of Frescobaldi and Antinori fame), on board!
Garzon's hilly vineyards near the ocean are in a warm maritime climate, like a cross between Santa Barbara and Bordeaux. Grapes are hand-harvested in small bins and then hand-sorted and sent through an optical laser sorting machine to ensure that only the very best fruit gets to the bottle. Fermentation occurs with the native yeast in concrete "tulips," which force more of the skins to be submerged at the narrow top, and allows for a natural circulation of the fermenting juice. They made the uncommon choice of aging in untoasted French oak, which they feel maintains the individual integrity of the wines.
The mid-slope plot for this single vineyard wine was chosen among 100 different vineyard sites that they source from. In contrast to the typical French Tannat, this is dark and plush with a copious amount of velvet tannins. In a drinking prime right now, with some savory notes of tobacco and leather joining the dark- and soft red-fruited, spicey, and dark chocolate character of the wine. Pair with roast lamb (leg or rack) and aged cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano.
JAMES SUCKLING 94 POINTS - "Extremely perfumed with violet and blueberry aromas that follow through to a full body with creamy, refined tanninscompact fruit and vertical line of tannins. Black pepper to the dark fruit. Better in two or three years. Try after 2022."
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