Today’s Story: Bodega Bouza
Bodega Bouza is a family-run winery located in Montevideo, Uruguay and everything they do is centered around their large family and teamwork. The family owns 4 vineyards named Melilla (10.4 ha), Las Violetas (15.4 ha), Pan de Azúcar (7.44 ha), and Las Espinas (1.64 ha) planted to a combination of Albariño, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Tannat. They also grow a small plot (1.44 ha) of Riesling in Pan de Azúcar. All of the fruit is manually harvested and destemmed before being sorted berry by berry, and all wines are vinified lot by lot in 50 hl containers. Malolactic fermentation occurs in oak barrels and the wines age for 6-18 months in American and French oak before being bottled unfiltered and resting another 6-12 months.
Today’s Wine: 2017 Tannat Reserva
100% Tannat; 14.5% ABV
The 2017 Tannat Reserva is opaque deep ruby in color with deep purple hues. Once this opens up, the nose displays classic aromas of blackcurrant, black plum, blue and purple florals, anise, smoke, cardamom, and oak. Once on the palate, the wine showcases notes of blackberry, cassis, black cherry, fig, leather, clay and wet gravel, charred herbs, and baking spice. This is medium- to full-bodied with medium acidity, velvety but medium tannins, and a long finish dominated by inky black fruit. Roughly 1,900 cases produced.
Price: I paid $30, but it looks like you can find this closer to $20-22. This is an outstanding value if you find it closer to $20 (I do see some stores out there) but at the $30 price-point it does start getting competitive. Would I buy it again at $30? Most likely. But at that price it wouldn’t be one of those wines I find and buy a case of for a value play. Pair this with duck confit, beef sausage, or Roquefort cheese.
JB's Wine Talk 
Looks like a winner here. South America does have some very good wineries. I’ll look for this one also.
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