Joe’s Wine of the Week: Bodega Garzón Tannat Reserva, Uruguay 2017

$16.99 at Crush Wine & Spirits in Bryant, Arkansas (AR)

100% Tannat

Fermented in cement tanks.  Aged 6 to 12 months in French oak barrels and casks.

Aromas of red and black fruits, plums, raspberries, and black currant.  On the palate, spice and mineral notes.  Smooth tannins.  Medium to long finish.

Uruguay is considered one of the most environmentally sustainable countries in the world.  It’s the fourth largest wine producing country in South America behind Argentina, Chile, and Brazil.  Its viticulture is more similar to Europe because small land holdings are more common.  On average, land holdings are five hectares and family run.  Growers either make small amounts of wine for local consumption or sell grapes to wineries.  In Uruguay, there are approximately 3,500 growers but only about 300 wineries.  Most of the country’s vineyards are on the Atlantic coast or close to the Argentine border.  Uruguay vineyards are known for their ballast soil.

The climate is similar to Bordeaux which is perfect for the Tannat red grape.  Tannat is native to Southwest France originating from the Madiran region.  It is named for its naturally high level of tannins.  A well-made Tannat wine will be abundant in rich red and black fruits, sweet spice, and minerals, and have a full-bodied structure.  Basque settlers brought the grape to Uruguay in the early 19^th century before Malbec was brought to Argentina from France.  Other grapes planted in Uruguay are Pinot Noir, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Marselan, Albariño, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio.

The small town of Garzón is located in east Uruguay, just a 30 minute drive from the famous José Ignacio Lighthouse on the coast and less than 80 miles from the fashionable resort of Punta del Este.  It has less than 300 inhabitants.  The town’s name comes from Uruguayan hero, General Eugenio Garzón (1796-1851).  He became part of San Martin’s army and accompanied him in his liberation campaigns in Chile, Peru, and Ecuador.  He died at an early age while he was well on his way to become the president of Uruguay.

Bodega Garzón is owned by Argentine businessman, Alejandro Bulgheroni, whose fortune came from the family energy business, Bridas Corp.  He bought the property in Uruguay in 1999 and began to plant vines in 2007.  He has 524 acres of vineyards at 160 meters above sea level.  In 2016, he completed a state-of-the-art winery and it now produces 120,000 cases per year.  Bulgheroni is now an international vintner owning 12 estates in six countries: Uruguay, Argentina, France, Italy, the United States, and Australia.  He also brought in talented staff to Garzón.  His winemaker is Alberto Antonini of Italian wine fame.  He previously worked for the Frescobaldi Winery, the Col d’Orcia Winery, and Antonori Winery.  He has been named by wine publications as one of the top five wine consultants in the world. Antonini collaborates with winemaker Germán Bruzzone and viticulturist Eduardo Félix to produce the wines of Garzón.

Bodega Garzón is a sustainable winery and uses organic vineyard and winemaking practices.