February Release - Tannat - Canelones, Uruguay, South America
(With 2 Liter virgin, Tannat crushed grape pack)
Yes, Uruguay does have a wine industry. In fact, it goes back some 250 years! However, the world outside of Uruguay has only recently and very enthusiastically discovered the wines.
The signature wine of Uruguay is a big red wine called Tannat. Like Carmenere and Malbec, Tannat originated in France but today has limited plantings there. The Tannat grapes in this Limited Release offering were selected and custom processed for Cellar Craft by Bodega Bouza, an ultra-modern boutique winery located just outside of the capital city, Montevideo.
Perhaps the best way to whet your interest in this exciting new wine is to extract a quote from noted wine critic and authority Jancis Robinson.
“I tasted a range of wines from one of the producers that most impressed – Bodega Bouza. …….. I have to admit I was very impressed too by their reds and especially, as one might expect, by their Tannats. Tannat is to Uruguay what Malbec is to Argentina: a red grape traditionally associated with south west France that seems if anything almost more at home under the South American sun.
Here in Uruguay the tannins are much softer and there is none of the mandatory 10 year wait that one has for a fine Madiran. (We tasted a Madiran or two alongside the Bouza Tannats and were much more beguiled by the Uruguayans.) In fact this Bouza Tannat Las Violetas is a babe in arms by French standards and yet is already drinkable and should drink beautifully from next year for the next four years or so I reckon.
I liked it's dense, firm, confident on the nose and lovely full fruit impact on the front palate with some tar and liquorice and firm fruit first, and only then very slightly inky tannins. The alcohol level is 14.5% but it doesn’t taste hot.“
Cellar Craft is dedicated to bringing new and exciting “Discovery” wines to its customers. Your feedback on earlier releases like Gruner Veltliner, Zweigelt and Mencia has been rewarding. Now we are exclusively offering what may be your first opportunity to experience wine from a country and from a grape that you had not previously experienced. We think that you will be more than pleased if you give it a try.
