2018 Bodega Garzon Single Vineyard Tannat Uruguay 750 ml

Bodega Garzón’s Single Vineyard Tannat is a modern icon. A powerful, bold, 94-point red from one of the most prestigious wineries in South America, made by one of the “World’s Greatest Winemakers,” it’s an emblematic red that few in the US have ever tasted.

It was no surprise in South America when Garzón was named “New World Winery of the Year” by Wine Enthusiast, because Uruguay’s wine industry is one of the best-kept secrets on the continent—they’ve also been named “Winery of the Year” by Descorchados, a Chilean publication that’s one of the definitive guides to South American wine.

Unlike the top wines in Argentina and Chile, which regularly run north of $100, Garzón’s Single Vineyard Tannat is available today for a song. That’s a remarkable price for a wine that James Suckling praised for its “wonderful depth” and that captivated us with its emphatic fruit and rich, full-bodied texture. Lovers of Napa Cabs and full-bodied reds—this one is for you. 

Tannat is Uruguay’s signature grape and reaches greater heights in its adopted home than it ever did in France, much like Malbec does in neighboring Argentina. With a warm climate and cool breezes coming off the Atlantic ocean, Bodega Garzón’s picturesque vineyards remind us of southern France or southeastern Australia—and this rich, decadent red would be right at home in a lineup of those classical wines.

We were blown away by its opulent power when we tasted it. Pouring a dark purple in the glass, the nose is anything but subtle, with wave after wave of powerful aromas—plums mingle with lavender, violet, and a dose of black pepper. The palate has swagger, full of blackberry jam, fresh blueberries, and a texture that’s simultaneously lush and structured which makes way for a long finish.

Garzón’s wines are beloved by legendary chef Francis Mallmann, about whom Esquire wondered, “Is [He] The Most Interesting Chef in the World?” Mallmann is so enthusiastic about the wines that he partnered with the Bulgheroni family, owners of Garzón, to open two restaurants—one at the winery and one in the nearby town.

Like Mallmann, Bodega Garzón is fanatical about quality. Star enologist Alberto Antonini, who Decanter magazine ranked as one of the top five winemakers in the world, supervises the winemaking. Fermentation takes place in large concrete tanks to enhance fruit purity, followed by 12 to 18 months of aging on the lees in French oak to achieve a level of polish and sophistication that’s unusual at this price.

All that makes for a wine that’s easy to love, even if it’s not easy to find. Drinking any iconic wine is a thrill, but even more when that wine is as under-priced as Garzón’s Tannat.