El Capricho Tannat Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2022

El Capricho’s Tannat Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve comes from Villa del Carmen in Durazno, where the family winery works just seven hectares of vines. The vineyards were planted in 2003 and 2004 on Vertisol soils with significant fine-sand content, underlain by calcareous Cretaceous rock. The combination of high luminosity and above-average temperatures allows the long-ripening Tannat and Cabernet Sauvignon to reach full phenolic maturity before the late-summer rains, producing deeply coloured wines with naturally rounder tannins. The estate follows sustainable farming practices and has had its grapes certified under Uruguay’s sustainability programme since 2023. Here, the firm structure of Tannat is balanced by Cabernet Sauvignon’s cassis fruit, aromatic lift and finer-grained tannins.

The wine is made from equal parts Tannat and Cabernet Sauvignon, with the varieties vinified separately before the final blend is assembled. After 8–10 days of fermentation in stainless steel at 26°C, the wine undergoes a further 20–25 days of post-fermentation maceration to build colour, flavour and structure. 80% of the finished wine then spends 12 months in first- and second-use French and American oak. Blackberry, blackcurrant and ripe plum are layered with violet, dark chocolate, vanilla, cedar and a subtle peppery note. The palate is concentrated and savoury, with juicy fruit, fresh acidity and firm but rounded tannins. Well suited to grilled beef, lamb, roast vegetables, game and richly seasoned dishes.