Uruguay
MARCH 2025
Known for its excellent wines made from the little-known Tannat grape, Uruguay has been on our wine club radar for some time, and this month it happens! Bodegas Garzón, located in Maldonado, has 3 wonderful wines in store for you – Tannat, Marselan & a single-vineyard Albariño (the region's up and coming grape) which are going to knock your socks off!
Uruguay's vineyards are mainly located along its southern coast around the capital city of Montevideo in a region called Metropolitan. Immigrants from the Basque Country brought Tannat and other grapes in the 1870's. Immigrants from Galicia (northwest corner of Spain) brought Albariño to Uruguay in the mid-1950's.
Bodegas Garzón
Bodegas Garzón is just to the east of Metropolitan in the Oceanic Region around the town of Maldonado. The region has gravelly soils full of crystalline rocks, called the "Crystalline Basement, which gave origin to the oldest soils in the planet over 2500 million years ago. When those rocks are altered and broken down through million years of geology, a fantastic soil of weathered rock is formed, called Ballast." –winery notes.
The other big factor for Bodegas Garzón is its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean – 18 kms away – and 160 meters up the hill from the water making for a steady, fresh, salty breeze which impacts the grapes grown on the estate's 1000+ plots.
2-BOTTLE CLUB
Bodegas Garzón 2022 Tannat Reserva • Maldonado, Uruguay • Reg $25.99 | Mixed Case $20.79
Tannat is originally from southwest France and is known for being a dry, full-bodied red. Uruguay has grown into the world's biggest producer of Tannat; in fact it's their flagship grape, but it's more elegant in style, medium-bodied and not bone dry.
100% Tannat. Aged on the lees in stainless steel tanks. Crazy that this dry of a wine could be this approachable with no oak!
Ripe black & red fruit on the nose. Palate = lots of blackberries, black cherries, dark plums with some earth on the finish. Graphite from the soils. Fine tannins on the finish. Bigger than the Marselan (your other club wine), but still very refined. Tannat can sometimes be really tough. It's one of the driest grapes in the world, so it can have a massive tannic pull. But this one is pretty darn easy drinking. Drink now to 2 years. Winery says to enjoy with lamb!
Bodegas Garzón 2022 Marselan Reserva • Maldonado, Uruguay • Reg $25.99 | Mixed Case $20.79
Marselan is a French hybrid from Cabernet Sauvignon & Grenache created in the 1960's and grown mostly today in Languedoc.
100% Marselan. Fermented in concrete tanks, then aged 6-12 months on the lees in stainless steel tanks. Aromas of black fruit with dried herbs. Very inviting nose. Taste is wild blackberries — juicy & flavorful. Dark plums & black cherries. Soft, spicy finish with a lovely touch of mint. Medium-bodied. What a fun wine! Enjoy Uruguay. Drink now to 1 year. The winery says to enjoy with smoked pulled pork.
3-BOTTLE CLUB
Bodegas Garzón 2023 Single-Vineyard Albariño • Maldonado, Uruguay • Reg $42.99 | Mixed Case $34.39
100% Albariño. Aged 8 months in concrete tanks. Aromas of lime, citrus & sea breeze. Palate adds in peaches, green olives, and a lot of seashells. Salinity and then earthy notes on the dry finish. This wine is a worthy splurge. A wonderful expression of Albariño. Super well-done. The winery's suggested pairing: smoked corn on the cob with salsa!
Fire Dinner
Maldonado, Uruguay
The winery participates every year in a local celebration called Fire Dinner. The spread looks amazing, and their wines would be great across the board.
A Note from Jens:
Wines from Uruguay are a special treat. Sourcing is difficult. Quality is terrific. Enjoy. Perfect March wines!
Your wine club pick-up tasting is always the 2nd Saturday of the month. Hope you can join us to taste and learn about your wines! As well, you'll be able to taste the Portalis EXPLORES club wines. March theme is Rioja Crianza!
Cheers,
Jens Strecker, Owner
Portalis Wine Shop
If you are here because you’re curious about our wine clubs: Here’s more general info & online signup> You can also peruse the last 12 months of both clubs to get a feel for the themes we pick and the wines we showcase: Portalis EXPLORES (our everyday wine club) & Portalis FLAGSHIP (our signature club).