San Pasqual Winery, Clarksburg (California) Tannat 2016

 Tannat is a powerhouse variety originating from the southwest of France but now hitting heights in Uruguay and, more recently, Virginia, and showing great promise in California as well — as in this case.  The aromas and flavors blend roughly equal parts of dark fruit and savory, slightly gamy notes, which is a winning combination that makes this wine tough to peg.  Tasted blind, even experts would be hard pressed to guess whether it leans more toward the "Old" or "New World" profile, which is very much to the credit of the wine and its winemaker.  A Double Gold Award winner at the 2020 Toast of the Coast International Wine Competition.