Tannat grapes during harvest at Bouza winery in Melilla, Uruguay, in March 2023.What kind of wine is made from Tannat?
Red wines made from the Tannat grape variety are classically deep-hued and intense with a lush kernel of black fruit, from plums to black cherry and cassis.
They are also generally wrapped in plenty of tannins that can range from bold to fine-grained and supple, with decisions in the vineyard and the cellar resulting in varying styles.
Scroll down to see tasting notes & scores for 15 top Tannat wines
Balance is always the key, though, and some of the best recent examples integrate the grape variety’s tannin content with natural acidity and bright fruit.
You can also find Tannat being used to make rosé wines, as well as in blends alongside other grape varieties.
Decanter‘s US editor, Clive Pursehouse, enjoyed discovering this pét-nat wine produced from 100% Tannat in Oregon, too. ‘The palate is lively, fresh and delicate,’ he wrote last year.
Madiran
In Madiran, Tannat’s traditional heartland of south-west France, you might find Tannat blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Cabernet Franc.
Producers have been working with ways to manage tannin content in the wines to ensure a harmonious balance with other elements, according to the region’s wine body.
Lauded wine producer Alain Brumont is known for pioneering a new wave of pure Tannat wines in Madiran, launching his Château Montus Prestige in 1985.
Yohan Castaing tasted several vintages at a Montus and La Tyre vertical in
