WineSmith Cellars Tannat

Tasting notes & discussion 71

Clark Talks About the 2021 Tannat

Typically $50/bottle from WineSmith Cellars
Vintage 2021 from Yolo County
Available for AZ; CA; CO; CT; DC; FL; GA; IA; ID; IL; IN; KY; LA; MA; MD; ME; MI; MN; MO; MT; NC; NE; NJ; NM; NV; NY; OH; OK; OR; PA; RI; SC; SD; TX; VA; VT; WA; WI; WV; WY
Sold by participating winery or licensee, fulfilled by Wine Country Connect

About WineSmith Cellars: “Through WineSmith’s four decades, we have forged lasting relationships with dedicated growers who share our commitment to living soil, vine balance, sustainable farming and correct ripeness. We work with a large and growing band of colleagues throughout the world who share the philosophy of excellence articulated in Postmodern Winemaking, Rethinking the Modern Science of an Ancient Craft – a school of cuisine that utilizes tools old and new to allow nature to work its magic.“

America's Got Tannat

TASTING NOTES: “The nose is instantly alluring. These generous and approachable tannins support intriguing aromas of tar, violets and sweet fennel. Its weight and authority tempt one to pair it with peppered steak, but I think the natives of Madiran are right to suggest that it is at its best with grilled duck breast. Check out my cooking show, Gracious Living in the Time of Corona, for tips on preparing duck.“ (AbV 12.9%, pH 3.44, TA 6.7 g/L)

VARIETALS: Tannat.

BARRELS: 23 months in neutral French oak.

PAIRS WITH: Grilled duck breast. Or a peppered steak, if you want to be suboptimal.

THAT REMINDS ME OF: Clark Smith’s own words, because the guy really talks the talk and walks the walk.

“I was trained on winemaking techniques by the great Patrick Ducournau in Madiran, a small appellation in southwest France in sight of the Pyrenees which specializes in Tannat. He invented the technique of micro-oxygenation to tame the tannins of this extraordinary grape, which can have three times the tannin of Cabernet Sauvignon. His hunch that the wine was starved for oxygen proved correct, and the technique is similar to conching of chocolate, which the Aztecs discovered converts cocoa into chocolate.

I was delighted to find a rare planting of this little-known grape in Clarksburg, California. It was even more astonishing to discover how oily and feminine the Tannat wines from this special vineyard proved to be. Generally, Tannat needs several years to soften and open, yet here we are, just 23 months after vintage, bottling a highly drinkable wine with round, voluptuous mouthfeel.“

WineSmith Cellars Tannat

Clark Talks About the 2021 Tannat

Who's buying this?

How are you buying your bottles?

Do you pronounce Tannat with a hard T or a soft T?