Pizzorno Petit Verdot Reserva 2023

Pizzorno’s Petit Verdot Reserva offers an unusual take on a variety more commonly encountered as a small component of Bordeaux blends. At Pizzorno’s estate in Canelón Chico, the 21 hectares of vines are planted on shallow, permeable loamy-clay and calcareous soils, with the Atlantic-influenced climate helping Petit Verdot ripen while retaining its naturally high acidity. The family estate, established in 1910, farms with an emphasis on environmental responsibility, including rational water use and careful canopy and yield management. Here, Petit Verdot is given the space to stand alone, rather than being used to add colour and structure to other varieties, resulting in a distinctive Uruguayan interpretation of this relatively uncommon grape.

100% Petit Verdot gives the wine an intense colour and a particularly expressive combination of dark fruit, floral notes and spice. Blackberry, blackcurrant and plum sit alongside violet, liquorice, cocoa and subtle pepper, while twelve months in French oak bring cedar, vanilla and additional savoury depth. The palate is firm and concentrated, with Petit Verdot’s characteristic freshness providing lift through the dense fruit and substantial tannins giving the wine plenty of structure. With time in the glass, the fruit becomes more open and the floral and savoury notes emerge. This is a serious food wine for grilled beef, lamb, venison, rich stews and aged hard cheeses, and has the structure to develop further in bottle.