2023 Bodega Garzon - Marselan Reserva (750ml)

Bodega Garzón is a family-owned winery in Maldonado, on Uruguay's Atlantic coast, where the estate pioneered viticulture in the region starting a little over a decade ago. That effort earned the winery Wine Enthusiast's New World Winery of the Year award in 2018 and helped establish Uruguay as a serious source for premium wine. The vineyards are divided into more than a thousand individual plots, each chosen for a specific grape variety based on its particular soil and microclimate, and the winery was the first outside North America to pursue LEED sustainability certification.

This wine is made entirely from Marselan, a relatively recent grape created in France in 1961 by crossing Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache. Garzón grows the variety across its coastal vineyards, where Atlantic breezes moderate the climate, and the grapes are hand harvested and sorted before fermentation in concrete tanks. The wine then ages for six to twelve months, partly in French oak barrels and casks, which rounds out its structure while preserving the grape's natural freshness.

In the glass this Marselan shows a deep ruby color with a violet core. Aromas of red and black fruit mingle with mint, eucalyptus, and a mineral edge, while the palate is soft, generous, and fruit-driven, framed by smooth tannins and a long finish. Pair it with roasted meats, pork stews, chorizo, or strong, intensely flavored cheeses.