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- Chrysalis Tannat 2006
A very compelling offering from this relatively young winery. I've put up a review here and on my blog.
http://www.corrundum.net/post/2006-Chrysalis-Tannat.aspx
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218 - Reply by ChipDWood, Oct 5.
I continue to hear how the tannat grape continues to grow well in Virginia, and have tried a handful. For the most part, those I have tried were too tight to be appreciated under normal tasting circumstances, and I would have preferred to decant them rather than leaving the duties to those behind the bar.
Ironically enough, it was Tannat that led to the discovery of the technique of "micro-oxygenation", something refered to by other posters concerning a Mr. Michel Rolland and a movie entitled "Mondo Vino".
BUT, if it grows well, I say go for it, specially for Virginny. The grape's getting a ton of positive hype for its high levels of Resveratrol and other heart-healthy antioxidants. I've had a rather smooth Tannat lately but forgot the name. I'll get it & bring it back for show & tell when I get a chance.
Typically though, big tannins in the tannat that I've tried. I'm pulling for Virginia to continue their experiments with this varietal in the hopes that they can incorporate it into some of the next-gen hybrid-influenced red meritage(s).
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1738 - Reply by Gregory Dal Piaz, Oct 6.
It's so cool to hear about the developments in Virginia. Still a small player in the NY market but seems like they are poised for the big time.
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218
- Reply by ChipDWood, Oct 6.
Well... I mean you know I'M a fan ;). I've just learned about another reason that one of Virginia's most financially backed producers got kicked in the shins, which may have held the rest of the region back in the eyes of some retailers, but more on that when I know more.
It's got a massive potential for growth, as a commonwealth, particularly considering its farming history. But it's also got its hurdles to overcome.
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218
- Reply by ChipDWood, Oct 6.
Yea, here's the Tannat I tried this past weekend and was truly impressed by the softness and ripeness of its tannins. It drank like a mature wine, though young.
http://www.chelseawinevault.com/product_info.php?keywords=tannat&products_id=28636
Quite good, for $7.99 especially
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11 - Reply by WineFlair, Oct 8.
Sounds intriguing. I've only had Tannats as a varietal from Madiran, and have tasted a few South American (most from Argentina) wines that used it as a blending grape. The folks at Chrysalis are welcome to send me a bottle!!
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0390 - Reply by GregT, Oct 9.
You've had tannat from Argentina? There aren't many. I had four yesterday and had only known of one before that. It is used as a blending grape for sure, also in Napa, Sonoma, Bordeaux, and other places, but in almost all of those places it's a very minor part of the blend.
There are some from Uruguay that are increasingly better, but it's a relatively new phenomenon in Argentina, where it shows some promise. I'd love to try one from VA, but I'm also a little bit suspicious and wondering why they chose that particular grape to work with.
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218
- Reply by ChipDWood, Oct 9.
GregT: "I'd love to try one from VA, but I'm also a little bit suspicious and wondering why they chose that particular grape to work with."
That's a good question. There's a couple folks I can ask, other than just assuming that VA Tech found it to be a potentially strong grower in the soils and amidst the stifling humidity of the region. While I've had a couple from VA, certainly not enough to form a real sense of whether it's been a success there or if it's more a work in progress.
The Touriga Nacional, without a doubt though, has been a success, and is in use all over the central region of the commonwealth. Not to confuse the two ;).
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0390 - Reply by GregT, Oct 9.
Touriga Nacional is even more interesting. If anything, it's grown in regions that are even drier than those where Tannat is found. Both grapes are super-tannic with thick skins and neither is really produced much outside of pretty circumscribed regions, so I'd love to know what it was about the climate that made the people select those grapes out of all the many in the world.
Something like Barbera or Tempranillo makes more sense.
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0390
- Reply by GregT, Oct 9.
Look at that. Someone agreed with me.
http://74.125.113.132/search?q=cache:lTrNp7rKESQJ:http://www.grapesandfruit.umd.edu/Grapes/Presentations/Varieties_MDNJ_0207.pdf+barbera+viticulture+rot+resistance&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a
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70 - Reply by chadrich, Oct 9.
There's some pretty decent Tannat and Touriga Nacional being made in Georgia (the state by Florida, not Russia's Georgia) too. Tiger Mountain (tigerwine.com) comes to mind as one of the better producers who's making both. Their web site doesn't explain the choice beyond saying the TN "likes the altitude and soil of Northeast Georgia".
