Here are two big red wines. One from a grape you may not know too well, Tannat, and the other wine is a Chianti Classico, but at the top tier, Gran Selezione. The Tannat wine comes from Argentina, which is uncommon, as Argentina is best known for Malbec. But this Tannat shows that it also does well in Argentina. Let me present my tasting impressions of these two wines.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Bodega El Porvenir de Cafayate Laborum Single Vineyard Tannat Finca El Retiro 2021, Argentina (BC $TBD)
(Wow, that is the longest wine label title I’ve ever written)
This wine was fermented in French oak vats and then underwent spontaneous malolactic fermentation. It was then aged in French and American oak barrels for 10 – 12 months.
Appearance: This wine has a dull, opaque black-garnet colour in the glass. Teardrops are visible on the sides of the glass after swirling.
Nose: Medium-intensity evolving, deep aromas of smokiness, char, a bit of sausage, and black fruit behind. No change after decanting.
Palate: Dry, medium-plus body, with a thicker, soft, super silky smooth mouthfeel. Low acidity and medium intensity dusty tannins. Toasty, smoky, char, ripe cherries, and sweet ripe black fruit flavours. No change on the palate after decanting.
Finish: Medium-plus to long length finishing with sweet candied cherries, ripe dark fruit, char, and light pepperiness. Medium tannins. No change to the finish after decanting.
Rating: 
The Bodega El Porvenir de Cafayate Laborum Single Vineyard Tannat Finca El Retiro 2021 displays a deep, opaque black-garnet colour with evolving aromas of smokiness, char, and black fruit. On the palate, it offers a medium-plus body with a super silky mouthfeel, featuring smoky, toasty notes alongside ripe cherries and sweet black fruit. A medium-plus to long finish highlights candied cherries, dark fruit, and char with balanced tannins, remaining consistent after decanting.
Il Molino di Grace Il Margone Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Panzano 2020, Italy (BC $59.99. On sale $56.99 in Dec 2024)
Made with 100% Sangiovese grapes. After fermentation, it was aged for 16 months in French barriques and tonneaux new and first use.
Appearance: This unfiltered wine has a deep, dull, garnet colour. About 85% opaque. Teardrops are visible on the sides of the glass after decanting.
Nose: Very aromatic with medium-plus intensity. Cedar, red and black fruits, plums, toast, vanilla and some sweet spices on the nose. The aromas are more pronounced after decanting. You can add candied cherries and smokiness to the list of aromas.
Palate: This wine is dry, medium-body, with a lightly round mouthfeel. The wine comes fuller-bodied and rounder with swirling in the glass. Medium tannins and acidity. It has juicy black fruits, blackberries, and red cherry flavours, along with touches of toast, floral, coffee, vanilla, and cedar. With some swirling the fruit flavours become sweeter and riper. The wine has a lighter, leaner mouthfeel after decanting. You can add candied cherries to the flavour profile.
Finish: A medium length, finishing with firmer tannins. Ripe black fruit and red cherry flavours, plus a touch of pepperiness. sweet spices and sweet fruit flavours on the finish with swirling. There is no change to the finish after decanting.
Rating: – The Il Molino di Grace Il Margone Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Panzano 2020 boasts a deep garnet hue and expressive aromas of cedar, red and black fruits, toast, vanilla, and sweet spices, which intensify with decanting, adding candied cherries and smokiness. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with juicy blackberries, red cherries, and hints of coffee, floral notes, and cedar, becoming rounder and sweeter with swirling. A medium-length finish showcases ripe black fruit, sweet spices, and firmer tannins, with no change after decanting.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
I am waiting to hear from the wine agency about where you can purchase these wines. They are not in BC Liquor stores. Check out your local wine shop. When I get this information, I will add it to the article and I will send a notice out on my social media channels.
