Bodegas Castillo Viejo / Cata Mayor, Uruguay (Uruguay) Tannat – Cabernet Franc 2009

 This house is famous for Cabernet Franc sourced from old vines, so it is no great surprise that a blend of Tannat and Cab Franc from this producer would really sing–which this does.  It doesn’t show much of the herbal aromatic character that Cab Franc often displays, but there’s an abundant, charming impression of sweetness at the wine’s core that provides a lovely foil to the black muscularity of the Tannat.  Dark berries and black plums are the lead fruit notes, and the balance between sweetness and tannin is excellent, permitting early enjoyment or several years of further positive development in the cellar.