Bodega Cerro del Toro 2020 Tannat

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

It’s not easy to find an approachable Tannat, one that drinks well right out of the bottle. One of the reasons is that the Tannat grape has more, and larger, seeds than other grapes therefore the tannins are more aggressive. Tame that and you’ve got it nailed. Uruguay is a country pushing Tannat to the world and with great results. This 2020 is a lively robust wine that will change your mind about this misunderstood grape.

2021 Halter Ranch El Pecado, USA, California, Paso Robles, Adelaida District, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$60.00USD

From a 500ml size bottle.  The name translates to "The Sin".  This is a dessert wine from Paso Robles that is made from 78% Tannat and 22% Grenache grapes.  The grapes are air dried on wooden racks and then go thru a fermentation.  During that process the wine is infused with hand roasted coffee beans and cocoa nibs.  It is a really enjoyable wine, but let's talk about the wine.  First, the drying process is supposed to increase sugar levels by 40%.  It is unclear how ripe the grapes were at harvest.  The wine is listed at 15% abv, which seems very high for a dessert wine that is not fortif

2012 Torrin Tsundere, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$77.00USD

An unusual blend of 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Tannat, 13% Grenache and 3% Syrah from Paso Robles.  Inky purple in color, opaque and shimmering bright.  The nose has black raspberries, cassis, char, black cherries and spice.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is deep.  A bit chunky with cassis, black raspberries and black cherries with underlying  char.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  Delicious on its own, this would be a great wine with a steak.  It will need big food.  

2019 Bodega Bouza Monte Vide Eu, Uruguay, Montevideo, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$67.00USD

This is a blend of 50% Tannat 30% Merlot and 20% Tempranillo.  Purple in color with ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, plums, chocolate and spice.  Medium tannins.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this drinks like a bold, young Bordeaux (which is a compliment).  Cherries, black cherries, cinnamon, and plums.  There is a nice complexity.  Its is drinking well but may still improve.  Either way, it should drink well for the next ten to fifteen years.  It drinks well on its own and will work well with roasted meats and vegetables.  

2020 Gimenez Mendez Tannat Alta Reserva, Uruguay, Las Brujas Canelones, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

This is 100% Tannat.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is great with cherries, dust, chocolate, spice and a hint of toasted oak.  Medium tannins.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, plums and black raspberries.  Moderate acidity.  This is very tasty.  Nice finish.  Drinking well now and should continue for another twelve to fifteen years.  Nice on its own but better with food.  This would work well with Lamb Chops.  An excellent value!

2018 Alto de la Ballena Tannat/Viognier Reserva, Uruguay, Maldonado, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$24.00USD

This is an intriguing blend of 85% Tannat and 15% Viognier.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is nice with chocolate, cherries, and a slight coconut note.  Medium to firm tannins.  Full bodied.  Juicy acidity.  On the palate, cherries and other red fruits.  Moderate finish.  This is drinking well now and should drink well for another five to eight years.  This works better with food.  It would go well with roasted duck or chicken.  

2019 Montes Toscanini Tannat Gran Tannat Premium, Uruguay, Las Piedras, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$59.00USD

At a recent tasting of Uruguayan wines, this seemed to be the crowds choice for best wine.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose has raspberries, plums and milk chocolate.  Medium to firm tannins.  Soft texture.  On the palate, black cherries and plums.  Deep.  The finish is long with lots of fruit and tannins.  This is drinking well now but should improve.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  Nice on its own, this will work better with food.  Pot Roast would work well.  

2018 Pisano Tannat RPF (Reserva Personal de la Familia), Uruguay, Progreso, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$24.00USD

This is 100% Tannat.  Ruby in color, purple at the core, mostly clear and bright.  The nose seems warm/moist in a good way with black cherries, dark chocolate, spice and slight herbal notes.  Firm tannins.  Softer texture.  On the palate, black cherries and black raspberry fruit.  Good acidity.  The tannins kick up on the finish.  This is very tasty.  Good value.  Drink over the next eight to ten years.  It drinks well on its own but probably better with food.  It would be nice with grilled meats or even roasted vegetables.  

Gimenez Mendez 2020 Tannat

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

Uruguay’s flagship red wine is, and always has been, Tannat. It grows well there. Tannat, however, is not the friendliest of grape owing to its heavier tannic structure. For this iteration, it’s 100% Tannat and it offers blackberry, blueberry, boysenberry, with back notes of wild cherry, plum and lingonberry. There is very little oak influence – just nine months in barrel - and very strong tannins, so this wine definitely needs some air time, and food. Tannat is not a cocktail wine and it needs to be paired with food, most typically in Uruguay it’s beef.

NV Basta Spirit Vermut Flores, Uruguay, Wine Review

Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$16.00USD

This was interesting.  The base wine is a Rose made from Tannat grapes.  Served straight with an ice cube and a piece of orange peel.  16%  Orange/pink in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with Chinese Five Spice and also floral notes.  Viscous.  On the palate, this is slightly sweet but also a bitter note that contrasts it.  A bit of a dried herbal note as well.  Good finish.  This is very refreshing and would work well in cocktails.  Drink in the next couple of years.  It makes a great aperitif and works nicely with fried appetizers.  

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