Review: Cerro Del Toro Tannat

Summer is here, which means ’tis the season. No, not the season for crisp, chilled white or rosé wines. Well… I guess that too, but that’s not what I’m writing about today. I’ll get to those soon. What I’m talking about today is it ’tis the season to fire up the grill and make a nice, juicy steak or maybe burgers are more your thing. Perhaps a veggie burger, if you’re so inclined.

You know that steak or burger is going to taste even better if you serve it with a big red wine. Like maybe a $75 Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley would be good? Wait! What am I saying? I don’t spend that kind of money on wine! I’m about the deals. Yes, I want a delicious red wine, but I don’t want to break the bank for it. Maybe let’s rethink that selection. Perhaps we go with a Tannat from Uruguay for $25. Yes, that seems like a better deal and perhaps a better choice overall.

I know Tannat may not be the first wine that comes to mind for you, but you should add it to your list. The one I’m highlighting today is really food friendly and would pair beautifully with that steak, burger, pork chop or other grilled goodies.

Fun fact, cows outnumber people in the country of Uruguay by something like 4:1. The Uruguayan people love their steak and they know how to make wine to serve with it as well.

If you’re not familiar with the geography of Uruguay, it’s on the eastern coast of South America, south of Brazil and east of Argentina. The influence of the Atlantic Ocean on the climate here distinguishes it from other wine producing countries in South America. The cool air of the Atlantic here could be compared to the cooling effect the Pacific Ocean has on regions like Napa Valley.

Like many wine regions, however, there are a few different sub-regions within Uruguay with distinct characteristics related to climate, soil and such. The wine I’m highlighting today, from Cerro Del Toro, comes from the Maldonado region, which is in the southeast corner of the country, bordering the Atlantic. This is one of the sub-regions most influenced by the cool Atlantic air and is also know for granite-based soils. Although white grape varieties dominate this sub-region, the Tannat grown here has a unique personality worth exploring. The vineyards where the grapes for this wine were grown are only 2 kilometers from the coast.

Tasting Notes

The nose is complex and really nice on this wine, offering prune, blackberry, licorice, black pepper and floral aromas. The palate comes across as medium bodied, which I find to be refreshing for a Tannat. It makes for a very food-friendly wine. Fresh, bright fruit flavors abound on the palate, with blackberry, plum, cassis and spice flavors. The mouthfeel is nice too. It finishes long with cassis and blackberry flavors.

Wine: Cerro Del Toro Tannat
Varieties: 100% Tannat
Vintage: 2020
Alcohol: 15%
Rating: 91
Average price: $25
Disclosure: This wine was received as a media sample.