Cf. the CellarTracker Article link [lower lft] to get specific info re the acclaim for this vintage.
≈45 min uncorked prior to 1st taste; Private Preserve after Day 1
N: RIPE blk frts (blkberries, poss blk cherries) with a dusty minerality, pyrazines, & spice with increased air
P: MF body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) met by a BIT of astringent pucker which fairly seamlessly morphs into a LONG, balanced, tangy/swt, ult QUITE pleasant finish. Went EXCEPTIONALLY well with Refried Beans/Rice & Grilled Skirt Steak! At its peak, likely won't improve, but may still drink well through '22 -- & that's even given my < "proper" cellaring. My EXC, arguably EXC+ for the QPR of the $13.99 pd in mid '17? // Day 2: Holding QUITE well, working admirably with the night's revisited Smkd BBQ Chx! // Day 3: Held up BETTER than expected! :) [As of early Jun '20, wine-searcher still shows 3 sources from $17-$20].
Note: Also tasted on 7/16 & 11/10/19, + 4/9/20.
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Cf. the CellarTracker Article link [lower lft] to get specific info re the acclaim for this vintage.
≈55 min decant into a cylindrical plastic pitcher which was then closed; NO sediment; Private Preserve after Day 1
N: ATTRACTIVE blkberries, choc, & pyrazines with hints of leather?
P: Med body; Rndish entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) met by an astringent pucker which stays within hailing distance of the init frt as it fairly seamlessly transitions into a LONG, tangy/swt (55:45) finish with bitter/SWT (45:55) choc flavors coming forward as the finish continues. The tannins, though MILD, still firm. For now & through '21 (poss a bit longer?), though I'd seriously doubt addt'l improvement. An impressive effort given the $13.99 pd for it ≈3 yrs ago. While it did acceptably with Beef Chili & Beans (HmMd), it would likely have been better with BBQ or hearty (perhaps even charred?) meat. // Day 3: Fell off > than I'd have anticipated, bitterness having come forward on the finish, & the "roughness" of this varietal now being evident. [In my previous experiences with Garzón Tannats I've found them to be > soft, almost silky, rather than rough.] ∑: My EXC-/EXC, though definitely trending towards the lower, +, to be on the safe side, drink over the next 12-15 mos [unless, perhaps (unlike moi) you've been cellaring yours "properly"]? [As of mid Apr '20, wine-searcher still shows 3 sources @ $16-$20].
Note: Also tasted on 7/16 & 11/10/19.
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Cf. the CellarTracker Article link [lower lft] to get specific info re the acclaim for this vintage.
≈60 min decant into a cylindrical plastic pitcher which was then closed; NO sediment; Private Preserve after Day 1
N: RIPE blkberries with CHOC + notes of savory iron & undertones of a general minerality
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which stays in contact with the init frt as it fairly seamlessly transitions into a LONG finish with a TANGY/swtness (60:40) to the firming, relatively unoffensive, dusty tannins. // Day 3: Drinking at LEAST as nicely as I'd anticipated! ∑: 14% ABV; My EXC-/EXC, easily trending towards the higher based upon the $13.99 pd for it several yrs ago, + I can see it providing enjoyment into '21. [As of mid Nov '19, wine-searcher still shows 3 sources from $16-$20].
Note: Also tasted on 7/16/19
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Decanted ≈20 without sediment; Private Preserve after Day 1
N: RIPE plums with notes of iron & undertones of minerals
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which ult works itself out by the LONG finish with a bitter/swtness to the still DUSTY, though fairly unoffensive, tannins. As this bottle had < ideal storage, it's hard for me to predict how MUCH life a better stored example would still have: CERTAINLY through '20, very likely longer. [Somewhat like most U.S. Petite Sirahs, I suspect this Tannat might ALWAYS have a "dustiness"/rusticity to its tannins.] Went VERY well with Estofado (AR<-IT) & Spinach Noodles! 14% ABV; My EXC-/EXC, the higher arguably IF one takes into consideration the $13.99 pd for it "back in the day". [As of mid Jul '19, wine-searcher still shows 3 sources from $16-$20]. Highlights of press/contests: 91 pts RJonWine, 87 WE @ $20, and the ff '16 contest results: 95 & Gold @ Decanter's World Wine Awards, Platinum @ S.D. Int'l, & Gold @ Sommelier Challenge. [Cf. https://bodegagarzon.com/en/awards/?concurso=&wine_sel=Tannat+2014&pais=&galardon=&year_sel= & wine-searcher's "Tasting Notes" pg for addt'l acclaim.] // Day 3: Held up acceptably
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5/10/2024 - Winance Tom Likes this wine: 90 Points
Some Bork taint/Brett on the nose but when drinking a strong ribbon of cherry red fruit.
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5/29/2020 - srh Likes this wine:
Cf. the CellarTracker Article link [lower lft] to get specific info re the acclaim for this vintage.
≈45 min uncorked prior to 1st taste; Private Preserve after Day 1
N: RIPE blk frts (blkberries, poss blk cherries) with a dusty minerality, pyrazines, & spice with increased air
P: MF body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) met by a BIT of astringent pucker which fairly seamlessly morphs into a LONG, balanced, tangy/swt, ult QUITE pleasant finish. Went EXCEPTIONALLY well with Refried Beans/Rice & Grilled Skirt Steak! At its peak, likely won't improve, but may still drink well through '22 -- & that's even given my < "proper" cellaring. My EXC, arguably EXC+ for the QPR of the $13.99 pd in mid '17? // Day 2: Holding QUITE well, working admirably with the night's revisited Smkd BBQ Chx! // Day 3: Held up BETTER than expected! :) [As of early Jun '20, wine-searcher still shows 3 sources from $17-$20].
Note: Also tasted on 7/16 & 11/10/19, + 4/9/20.
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4/9/2020 - srh Likes this wine:
Cf. the CellarTracker Article link [lower lft] to get specific info re the acclaim for this vintage.
≈55 min decant into a cylindrical plastic pitcher which was then closed; NO sediment; Private Preserve after Day 1
N: ATTRACTIVE blkberries, choc, & pyrazines with hints of leather?
P: Med body; Rndish entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) met by an astringent pucker which stays within hailing distance of the init frt as it fairly seamlessly transitions into a LONG, tangy/swt (55:45) finish with bitter/SWT (45:55) choc flavors coming forward as the finish continues. The tannins, though MILD, still firm. For now & through '21 (poss a bit longer?), though I'd seriously doubt addt'l improvement. An impressive effort given the $13.99 pd for it ≈3 yrs ago. While it did acceptably with Beef Chili & Beans (HmMd), it would likely have been better with BBQ or hearty (perhaps even charred?) meat.
// Day 3: Fell off > than I'd have anticipated, bitterness having come forward on the finish, & the "roughness" of this varietal now being evident. [In my previous experiences with Garzón Tannats I've found them to be > soft, almost silky, rather than rough.] ∑: My EXC-/EXC, though definitely trending towards the lower, +, to be on the safe side, drink over the next 12-15 mos [unless, perhaps (unlike moi) you've been cellaring yours "properly"]? [As of mid Apr '20, wine-searcher still shows 3 sources @ $16-$20].
Note: Also tasted on 7/16 & 11/10/19.
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11/10/2019 - srh Likes this wine:
Cf. the CellarTracker Article link [lower lft] to get specific info re the acclaim for this vintage.
≈60 min decant into a cylindrical plastic pitcher which was then closed; NO sediment; Private Preserve after Day 1
N: RIPE blkberries with CHOC + notes of savory iron & undertones of a general minerality
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which stays in contact with the init frt as it fairly seamlessly transitions into a LONG finish with a TANGY/swtness (60:40) to the firming, relatively unoffensive, dusty tannins. // Day 3: Drinking at LEAST as nicely as I'd anticipated! ∑: 14% ABV; My EXC-/EXC, easily trending towards the higher based upon the $13.99 pd for it several yrs ago, + I can see it providing enjoyment into '21. [As of mid Nov '19, wine-searcher still shows 3 sources from $16-$20].
Note: Also tasted on 7/16/19
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7/16/2019 - srh Likes this wine:
Decanted ≈20 without sediment; Private Preserve after Day 1
N: RIPE plums with notes of iron & undertones of minerals
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which ult works itself out by the LONG finish with a bitter/swtness to the still DUSTY, though fairly unoffensive, tannins. As this bottle had < ideal storage, it's hard for me to predict how MUCH life a better stored example would still have: CERTAINLY through '20, very likely longer. [Somewhat like most U.S. Petite Sirahs, I suspect this Tannat might ALWAYS have a "dustiness"/rusticity to its tannins.] Went VERY well with Estofado (AR<-IT) & Spinach Noodles! 14% ABV; My EXC-/EXC, the higher arguably IF one takes into consideration the $13.99 pd for it "back in the day". [As of mid Jul '19, wine-searcher still shows 3 sources from $16-$20]. Highlights of press/contests: 91 pts RJonWine, 87 WE @ $20, and the ff '16 contest results: 95 & Gold @ Decanter's World Wine Awards, Platinum @ S.D. Int'l, & Gold @ Sommelier Challenge. [Cf. https://bodegagarzon.com/en/awards/?concurso=&wine_sel=Tannat+2014&pais=&galardon=&year_sel= & wine-searcher's "Tasting Notes" pg for addt'l acclaim.] // Day 3: Held up acceptably
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