Monte De Luz, Reserva, Tannat, Uruguay, 2007, $11.99
buy it here at drinkupforless.com
Many people are not yet familiar with the tannat grape. It got its start in the South West of France, but you could say it got its big break in Uruguay, where it is now one of the most widely planted grapes. This dark beauty in particular opens with a nose of dark chocolate, toasty vanilla, and a hint of baked pineapple. Its super deep, inky color only builds anticipation until it hits your lips, where it delivers a hefty dose of dark cassis. Soon there after follows thick molasses, and dried prunes, with a touch of black olives. Its finish is one of intense oak and mild sweet tobacco. Overall, in case you haven’t gathered, this is one very dark, inky wine and would stand up nicely to smoked foul. Don’t even try it with anything light, you wont even taste the food.
August 11th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Yay a Tannat review! This has been one of the coolest, most interesting grapes to me since I first tried it 5 years ago. It’s so atypical of what we’re all used to..and it challenges the palate to define what elements you find and what to pair it with. Thanks for writing it up, this’ll probably go into my basket for a try with some grilled beef