Altos de la Ballena, Uruguay (Uruguay) Tannat – Viognier 2009

 This estate grows Syrah and the proprietors are vocal admirers of Côte Rôtie, so it is more than a little surprising that the red into which they add Viognier is—Tannat.  All of this makes perfect sense once one tastes the wines, as Altos de la Ballena’s Syrah is already lovely and feminine on its own, whereas Uruguay’s black-fruited Tannat certainly doesn’t need to be any more masculine, and can certainly benefit from the tenderness and perfume of a variety like Viognier.  The blend certainly works in this case, with plenty of driving dark fruit flavors but also an admirably complex bouquet and a soft textural profile.