Atlantico Sur Tannat

Profile & Story

WINEMAKER Santiago Deicas VINEYARD Castelar, Progreso, Canelones - 14,3 Miles to the sea Mar de Piedras, Sierra de Mahoma, San José - 24,8 Miles to the sea Valle de los Manantiales, Sierras de Garzón, Maldonado - 13,7 Miles to the sea VINEYARD DESCRIPTION The Tannat grape we use at Atlántico Sur is grown in several vineyards located in Maldonado, Canelones, and San José, just a few kilometers from the coast. The secret to coastal influence lies in the low temperatures during the grape's ripening season in the summer. During the day, when the vine is undergoing photosynthesis and storing nutrients in the grapes, the maturity of the skin and seeds is favored at temperatures below 33 degrees Celsius. The skin and seeds contain the polyphenolic compounds responsible for the wine's color and structure. By ripening quickly, we can harvest early when the grapes have a high content of fresh aromas and a balance of sugar and acidity. As a result, wines from the Atlantic coast are balanced, with floral, fresh fruit, and mineral aromas, and a rich texture. SOIL Progreso has clay-limestone soil, Sierra de Mahoma has vertical schists, and Sierras de Garzón has degraded granite. WINEMAKING Coastal Tannats have such a high concentration of color in the skins that we can do a short maceration, with a very intense extraction during the first 2 days and much gentler extraction in the following days. The total maceration time does not exceed 7 days, during which the seeds contribute very little tannin to the wine, leaving the skins responsible for delivering the tannins and anthocya- nins. This technique allows us to harvest very early, when floral and fresh fruit aromas are at their peak, even though the seeds may not be fully ripe. Since Tannat has such a high concentration of anthocyanins, the color of the wine remains very deep even with this technique. For reference, if we used this maceration method with a Merlot, the result would be a rosé wine. AGING POTENTIAL 5 to 10 years

Pairing Recommendation

A modern approach to Uruguay’s flagship grape, focused on elegance and texture. The Skin-Only Advantage: Unlike traditional Tannats, this wine is crafted using a specific process that prioritizes skin extraction while avoiding seed extraction. By removing the harsh, bitter tannins found in seeds, we achieve a wine that is deeply concentrated and powerful, yet remarkably silky, elegant, and approachable from a young age. Versatile Pairings: Because the tannins are so refined and "friendly," this wine goes beyond the classic red meat pairings. It works wonderfully with Slow-Roasted Duck, Grilled Portobello Mushrooms, or even a Seared Ahi Tuna with a pepper crust. Pasta Pairing: Thanks to its unique skin-only extraction, this Tannat avoids harsh bitterness, making it a surprising but excellent partner for Hearty Pastas. It pairs beautifully with Pappardelle with Wild Boar Ragù or a classic Lasagna Bolognese. The wine's concentration stands up to the meat sauce, while its silky texture complements the richness of the pasta. The Cultural Classic: While versatile, the soul of this wine remains the Uruguayan Asado (BBQ). It is the ultimate partner for a prime cut of New York Strip or Grilled Lamb Chops with chimichurri.