Oswaldo Costa
Oswaldo Costa
After six days visiting the northern regional capitals of Belm do Par and So Luis do Maranho, where decent wine is in short supply, Marcia was tired of drinking caipirinhas made with exotic local fruits like cupua, graviola, bacur, tapereb, aa, etc., so we looked for the least unpromising wine we could find to have with a cheese platter at the hotel. Since no bored is truly complete without a note on a Uruguayan tannat, here it is:
2003 Montes Toscanini Grand Tannat Premium 13.0%
100% Tannat. 03 was also a problematic vintage in Uruguay. Aromas of kirsch, molasses and coffee. Showing more heat than suggested by 13%. Acceptable acidity, but the fruit flavor tastes a bit baked and syrupy. Uruguay has no Andes, and I had hoped it wouldn't copy its neighbors, but the grapes appear to have been picked on the overripe side. Tannins are medium/soft, with none of the strength that give this grape its name. There's oak too, but not too much. Enfin, mediocre, should have sticked to the caipirinhas.
2003 Montes Toscanini Grand Tannat Premium 13.0%
100% Tannat. 03 was also a problematic vintage in Uruguay. Aromas of kirsch, molasses and coffee. Showing more heat than suggested by 13%. Acceptable acidity, but the fruit flavor tastes a bit baked and syrupy. Uruguay has no Andes, and I had hoped it wouldn't copy its neighbors, but the grapes appear to have been picked on the overripe side. Tannins are medium/soft, with none of the strength that give this grape its name. There's oak too, but not too much. Enfin, mediocre, should have sticked to the caipirinhas.