2016 Balasto Garzón Uruguay Bodega Garzón

The 2016 Balasto is mostly a 45/25 blend of Tannat and Cabernet Franc with Petit Verdot and Marselan for the rest. It was aged for 20 months in second use, untoasted French foudres and comes in at 14.5% alcohol. This is not as big or as rich as the 2015, but it seems better balanced and more focused, if not quite as attention-getting. The restraint helps this along and makes it seem like a fine food wine. Granting that they were not tasted from the same bottle size (and are certainly not at the same stage of development), this seems to me to be slightly better than the 2015. Reasonable minds might differ. This was tasted from a half bottle, although the price references a full bottle. 2019 - 2030.

Balasto may be the most expensive wine in Uruguay, but it's not always my favourite Garzón red. Tannat-based with the remaining 55% divided between Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Marselan, this is firm, chewy and serious, a wine that's made to age for a decade or more in bottle. Savoury and well balanced, but give it time. 2023-35.