Stinson Vineyards, Monticello (Virginia) Tannat 2013

 Tannat is generally associated with southwestern France (and more recently with Uruguay), but it has lately been embraced by vintners (and their wine-loving customers) in Virginia.  In France, Tannat is generally blended with other red wines, but it is most often used alone in Virginia, where it seems to do especially well in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, notably in the Charlottesville area.  Stinson, a Virginia winery with a French influence, makes a very good Tannat, which is appropriately inky dark and tannic without being overly astringent.