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Tag Archives: Tannat

Chrysalis Vineyards winery visit

08 Tuesday Nov 2022

Posted by caspernick in Wine

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Norton, petit verdot, Tannat, virginia


I took a drive out to Northern Virginia’s wine country and visited the Chrysalis winery in Middleburg.  They specialize in the native Norton grape which is medium to high in acidity, full bodied but with very soft tannins.  High levels of anthocyanin help to deliver a beautifully rich dark purple color to the young wine.  I tasted several different versions of this varietal including a blend.  The flight consisted of 3 dry reds and a sweet blush plus I got a bonus- the Papillon which is a blend of Tannat and Petit Verdot.

My favorite from the flight was the Bull Run Mountain Cuvee, which uses some Carbonic Maceration as well as traditional fermentation.  This gives the wine very soft tannins and bright fruit flavors.  The Barrel Select and Locksley Reserve were not my favorites- the Carbonically macerated Barrel Select was a touch too spicy for my taste.  The Locksley has some Tannat added to it which beefs up the tannins yet I still did not care for the flavor profile as much.  Don’t get me wrong, I could sit on their beautiful patio and sip these all day.  Speaking of the patio, the Sarah’s Patio Red was definitely not my cup of tea.  I love dessert wines, I love Port, I love sparkling/spritzy wines, I like Blush wines, but I really did not care for the cloying nature of this one.  It might be right up your alley so don’t let my opinion sway you from trying it.  The last wine I drank was the Papillon- a blend of more traditional varietals….Tannat and Petit Verdot.  I like the balance of this wine, the flavors were layered and far more complex.  This is a serious wine to sit and ponder.  It runs $40 at the winery and is well suited to pair with hearty dishes as the Fall and Winter approach.  I thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon trip out to this beautiful venue where you can order pizzas and light fare to pair with the very large selection of varietals that are interesting and not mainstream…. The staff were great and very informative.  I’ll be back to try the rest of their offerings.  Salut….

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Bodega Garzon Reserva Tannat 2018, Maldonado, Uruguay

01 Friday May 2020

Posted by caspernick in Wine

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$15, 5 stars, 91 points, Tannat, uruguay


Wow, this is some inky wine.  I am on a stretch of tasting some lesser known varietals for the next few days.   Tannat is very popular in South America and is very tannic and raw.  I am cooking Strip steaks and Cevapcici sausages, made from ground lamb which is fatty and spiced- I hope the pairing works.

The nose is blackberry jam, some charred oak and red licorice.  On the palate it is as expected- fruity, primal, tannic and delicious.  This is a wine made for a big South American Asado (grilling).  The midpalate is so juicy it makes me pucker.  Black currants, blackberry and a touch of mint all hit me.  The wine is tannic, but not over dry.  Black tea and licorice flavor the back end and the finish has a hint of charcoal.  There is a definitive oak influence but it is deft and delicious.  91 points and 5 stars for this $15 Tannat.  If you have never ventured into the lesser knowns, here is a good starting point.  Drink till 2025.  Salut….

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Bodegas El Porvenir de Cafayate ‘Amauta Absoluto’ Tannat 2016, Cafayate, Argentina

15 Thursday Jun 2017

Posted by caspernick in Wine

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$15, 2 stars, 87 points, Argentina, Tannat


Pretty dark purple in the glass.  Nose of plum and blackberry, but it’s hard to coax the flavors as this particular bottle has been chilled.  The initial taste is more blackberry with some spice box.  The tannins are very subdued as is the acidity, which is atypical for this varietal.  I get tar and creosote on the mid palate, with some blackberry.  The finish is more black berries and some fig paste.  87 points for this $15 offering make it a 2 star wine.  Salut….

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