Bodega Garzon Reserva Tannat, Maldonado, Uruguay

Deep purple in color, 2024 Bodega Garzon Reserva Tannat combines ripe plum and raspberry with savory spice, mineral definition, and the firm yet mature tannins that give Uruguay's signature red grape its distinctive presence. Fermentation in concrete preserves freshness and fruit clarity, while 6-12 months in large, untoasted French oak casks build texture without overwhelming the wine with overt oak character. The result reflects Bodega Garzón's broader pursuit of wines with a strong sense of place, developed under lead winemaker Germán Bruzzone with consulting winemaker Alberto Antonini.

Product Details:

• Owners: Alejandro and Bettina Bulgheroni
• Lead Winemaker: Germán Bruzzone
• Consulting Winemaker: Alberto Antonini
• Varietal Composition: 100% Tannat
• Fermentation: 150 hL concrete tanks
• Aging: 6-12 months in 50 hL untoasted French oak casks
• Alcohol: 13%

Sensory Description:

Deep purple in the glass, with fresh aromas of plum and raspberry layered with savory spice. The palate has considerable personality, bringing ripe dark and red fruit together with structured but mature tannins and a pronounced mineral character. Freshness provides balance to Tannat's natural depth and structure, while the large-format, untoasted oak élevage allows the fruit and mineral profile to remain clearly defined through the persistent finish.

Awards & Accolades:

• International Wine Challenge 2026: Bronze Medal

Winemaker's Background:

Bodega Garzón grew from Alejandro and Bettina Bulgheroni's vision for their property near Uruguay's Atlantic coast, where the combination of rolling terrain, ancient granitic soils, and maritime influence offered the foundation for a new fine-wine estate. Planting accelerated from 2008 onward, with Germán Bruzzone joining the project in 2009 and working alongside internationally experienced consulting winemaker Alberto Antonini to develop wines centered on origin, freshness and varietal identity. Today Bruzzone serves as Lead Winemaker, while Antonini continues as consulting winemaker. The gravity-fed winery was designed around both precision and environmental responsibility, becoming the first winery outside North America to achieve LEED certification for its entire facility. Within the portfolio, Tannat has become central to Garzón's expression of Uruguayan terroir, combining the grape's inherent structure with the freshness and mineral character encouraged by the estate's Atlantic-influenced growing conditions.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve at 14-16°C in a large red wine glass, allowing the wine a little time in the glass or a brief decant while young to open its fruit and soften its structure. The producer particularly recommends roasted game and slow-cooked leg of lamb with sage, mint, garlic and olive oil. Its ripe tannins and savory depth also make it a natural partner for grilled beef, asado, braised short ribs, roasted lamb and firm aged cheeses.