2016 | Bodega Garzn | Balasto

Red Wine: 2016 | Bodega Garzn | 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.

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Producer: Bodega Garzn

Ratings: WA | 90 JS | 94

Vintage: 2016

Size: 750ml

ABV: 14.5%

Varietal: Rare Red Blend

Country/Region: Uruguay, Maldonado

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 Garzn is a state-of-the-art winery and vineyard established by Argentine businessman, Alejandro Bulgheroni. Bodega Garzn 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 Garzns 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 Enthusiasts New World Winery of the Year. Garzn have a range of wine styles from an assortment of grape varieties in their portfolio. Garzn Estate range are a line of young, entry level blends of white, ros and reds. Garzn Reserve focuses on varietal expression of terroir. Garzn Single Vineyard range are sourced from specific sites of prestige. Garzn 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 Garzn is Balasto, a majority of Tannat complimented with Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Marselan sourced from the bodegas 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 Garzn also produce a sparkling, late harvest and grappa styles of wine.