Uruguay’s Balasto to release trio of vintages through Bordeaux

Balasto, the top wine from Uruguay’s Bodega Garzón, is to release a three-vintage showcase through La Place de Bordeaux on 10 September.

Due for global distribution later this week will be the 2017, 2016, and 2015 vintages of Balasto in a six-bottle cases of each expression, which represent the first three vintages of this flagship wine from Uruguay.

Balasto is the ultimate expression from Bodega Garzón, an estate found 18km inland from the fashionable coastal village of José Ignacio, which itself is near the much larger resort town of Punta del Este.

Standing alone on a hilly terrain not unlike the undulating landscape of Tuscany, Bodega Garzón spans 210 hectares of high-density vines on free draining gravel-like decomposed granite soils – which is the oldest granite on the planet.

Planted with no expense spared by expert viticulturalist Eduardo Felix in 2008, with support from famous Italian wine consultant Alberto Antonini – who still works with the estate – the vineyards for Balasto are in peak condition, and are managed with great care.

Meanwhile, with US$200 million (£157m) spent on the entire property by the founder and owner, Argentine oil and gas billionaire Alejandro Bulgheroni, the winery was created to an extraordinarily high specification.

Indeed, it is one of the most advanced and impressive wineries in the world, and was declared New World Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast in 2018.

Please click here to read more about Balasto.

And please see below for a set of tasting notes on the wines from James Suckling:

Balasto 2017

95 points – James Suckling: “Transparent and direct with dark berries, asphalt and lavender .Medium to full body, very silky tannins and a persistent and beautiful finish. A blend of 50% tannat, 40% cabernet franc, 5% marselan and 5% merlot. Drink or hold”

Balasto 2016

94 points – James Suckling:  “Blueberries, licorice, forest floor, underbrush and dark chocolate come into the nose. The palate shows a unique combination of agile blue fruit and acid drive with firm, grainy tannins and a chewy, very mineral finish. A blend of 45% tannat, 25% cabernet franc, 18% petit verdot and 12% marselan. Drink in 2021”

Balasto 2015

94 points – James Suckling: “Very bright and aromatic with blackberry, black licorice and spice. Hints of sweet tobacco. Full body, yet reserved and extremely polished. 45% tannat, 25% cabernet franc, 20% marselan and 10% petit verdot. A new benchmark. Better in 2020 but amazing now.”