2023 Tannat Reserve, Garzón

This is Tannat, but not as you (or Madiran) might expect. Deep, inky and inviting, the nose leads with ripe black plum, blackberry and cassis, followed by notes of cocoa powder, sweet spice and a whisper of dried herbs. On the palate, it’s powerful yet beautifully polished with dense dark fruit wrapped in fine, chalky tannins, with fresh acidity and a subtle savoury edge keeping everything in balance. Concentrated, structured and surprisingly supple, it finishes long, dry and quietly confident.

For when: you want a red with gravitas that still plays nicely at the table.
Pairs with: slow-cooked beef, chargrilled steak, lamb shoulder, or hard-aged cheeses.
If this wine were… a heavyweight boxer in a tailored suit, all muscle, but impeccably behaved.

Bodega Garzón sits just inland from Uruguay’s Atlantic coast, in the rolling hills of Maldonado, where granite-rich soils, altitude and cooling ocean breezes create one of South America’s most exciting modern wine regions. A certified sustainable estate, Garzón has become the global standard-bearer for Uruguayan Tannat, focusing on freshness, precision and drinkability rather than sheer power. Vineyard blocks are vinified separately to preserve site character, and gentle extraction combined with thoughtful oak use allows Tannat’s naturally bold structure to shine with refinement. The result is a new-generation expression of Uruguay’s signature grape, serious, elegant and unmistakably of its place.