MALDONADO, URUGUAY. NEW WORLD WINERY OF THE YEAR
Marselan is a relatively new (1961) cross of Cabernet and Grenache that in Uruguay, close to the Atlantic, Bodega Garzon makes into great wines. The wine is deep ruby red in colour, with powerful aromas of red fruits, minty eucalyptus, bay leaves and mineral notes on the nose. The palate is soft and smooth with ripe red fruits and a long minerally finish.
We first tasted the Bodega Garzón wines at the Liberty Wines portfolio tasting in January. Not surprisingly, they were at the end of the Argentine table and after a dozen heavy, oaky Malbecs they were a revelation. Perfectly balanced, they were like fine Clarets compared with the proceeding Mendoza blockbusters. The whites are equally good, if not better.