2016 | Bodega Garzón | Balasto

A very refined style with bounteous hints of herbs and tobacco coming from the input of Cabernet Franc, plus firm tannin and a long, salty finish.

Reviews:

• Wine Advocate: The 2016 Balasto is mostly a 45/25 blend of Tannat and Cabernet Franc with Petit Verdot and Marselan for the rest. It was aged for 20 months in second use, untoasted French foudres and comes in at 14.5% alcohol. This is not as big or as rich as the 2015, but it seems better balanced and more focused, if not quite as attention-getting. The restraint helps this along and makes it seem like a fine food wine.

• James Suckling: The first impression here delivers lots of citrus and orange rind. Then blueberries, licorice, forest floor, underbrush and dark chocolate come into the picture as well as tile and clay. The palate shows a unique combination of agile blue fruit and acid drive with firm, grainy tannins and a chewy, very mineral finish. A blend of 45% tannat, 25% cabernet franc, 18% petit verdot and 12% marselan.

Producer Information

Located on the Uruguayan coastal province of Maldonado, Bodega Garzón is a state-of-the-art winery and vineyard established by Argentine businessman, Alejandro Bulgheroni. Bodega Garzón have a 240-hectare (593ac) estate of vineyards, located on a granite based hillside just over 20 kilometres (21mi) from the Atlantic coast. A paricularly picturesque site, it frequents the top 10 of the World's Best Vineyards list. It has been separated into over a 1,000 lots, based of the differences in terroir found throughout. One of the greatest attractions for viticulture here is the soil profile. Known as the crystalline basement, it is one of the oldest soils on the planet. The intact profile is on display in Garzón’s winery basement. The architecturally designed winery is a world-class sustainability endeavour with LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) covering the entirety of the facility. It is built in a staggered design to utilise gravity throughout the winemaking process of which conserves energy resources throughout the winemaking process. On completion of the winery in 2018, it was awarded Wine Enthusiast’s New World Winery of the Year. Garzón have a range of wine styles from an assortment of grape varieties in their portfolio. Garzón Estate range are a line of young, entry level blends of white, rosé and reds. Garzón Reserve focuses on varietal expression of terroir. Garzón Single Vineyard range are sourced from specific sites of prestige. Garzón Petit Clos is a limited production of the best grape varieties from the very best sites of which the organoleptic properties of the wine produced from will improve with age. The icon wine of Bodega Garzón is Balasto, a majority of Tannat complimented with Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Marselan sourced from the bodega’s best vineyards. Aged for 20 months in untoasted French oak barrels and bottled unfiltered, the finished wine is vibrant and complex with juicy tannins and aromas of fresh red fruits. Bodega Garzón also produce a sparkling, late harvest and grappa styles of wine.

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