Deep purple-ruby color; black plum, black cherry, blackberry, blackcurrant, raspberry, mocha-chocolate, pine, oak, spice on the nose and palate.
Dry; firm tannins—tannat is famed for its tannin—but significantly softened by the merlot and zinfandel. Fleshy, fruity, interesting blend of 55% tannat, 30% merlot, 15% zinfandel. Full body, lively acidity (3.5 pH), ripe fruit. Interesting complexity and structure. Very pleasant and deep finish where all three grapes plarade on your palate—first the merlot and zin, followed in the end with the tannat and blackcurrent. 15.4% ABV
Artesana is a boutique winery in the Canelones region of Uruguay. It specializes in tannat—Uruguay’s signature grape—tannat blends and zinfandel. It is the only winery producing zinfandel in Uruguay. The winery also is the only American-owned winery in Uruguay. It partners with two award-winning Uruguayan female winemakers—Analía Lazaneo and Valentina Gatti. “Artensana” is the feminine form of “artisan” in Spanish. The winemakers are the key players as the owner, Blake Heinemann, is (or was) an officer with the oil & gas company Sunoco, and did not have a winemaking background. Heinemann’s niece, Leslie Fellows, manages (or managed) the project. There is not much backstory on the winery website.
The grapes are grown on Artesana’s 80 acre estate 30 miles north of Uruguay’s seaside capital of Montevideo. Canelones is home to most of Uruguay’s vineyards. Ocean breezes keep the vines well-ventilated. The combination of well-drained soils and 220 days of intense sunshine produces growing conditions similar to Bordeaux. It also is a reason thick-skinned tannat does well in Uruguay.
Artesana stresses minimal intervention in the vineyard and winery. That includes pest and weed control through sustainable methods such as ground cover and encouragement of wildlife and beneficial insects over artificial chemicals. Lots from 13 blocks ferment separately in small stainless steel tanks. Cool maceration lasts 15-20 to extract color and aroma. The lots are aged separately for 14 months in mixed aged French and American oak before blending. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Originally from France, tannat produces rich, robust wines. It’s thick, dark skins and seeds—tannat has four seeds, most grapes only three, and stems supply the tannins. Thankfully, and certainly in Uruguay, the grapes also deliver excellent acidity and often high alcohol. Tannat sometimes is called the healthiest red wine because it contains three-to-four times the antioxidant levels of most other red wines.
Artesana Tannat-Merlot-Zinfandel Reserva, Canelones, Uruguay 2020 is rich, ripe big boy wine. Nicely integrated symphony of black and red fruits framed by expected tannat tannins, excellent acidity for a powerhouse red with 15.4% alcohol. Elegant, complex, well made, delicious. Pair with lamb; grilled or roasted meats, especially over open campfire; cassoulet (white beans with assorted meats); barbecue—beef, pork, chicken; roast beef; sausage; wild game; casseroles and stews; baby back ribs. Uruguayan cuisine, of course. Cheese—spicy cheeses, strong cheeses, double or triple cream camembert or brie, gorgonzola, parmesan. $25
