Deep, opaque purple-black core with dark ruby rim. Exceptional concentration with high viscosity and slow-forming, tightly-spaced legs.
Complex and intense bouquet featuring dark black fruits (blackberry, black plum, cassis) with notes of graphite, violet, dark chocolate, and black pepper. Secondary aromas of cedar, tobacco, and leather complement subtle hints of herbs, crushed stone, and mineral notes reflecting the unique granitic terroir.
Full-bodied and powerful with impressive structure and depth. Concentrated flavors of black fruit preserves, blackcurrant, and dark cherry are framed by firm, refined tannins and balanced acidity. Complex layers reveal espresso, dark chocolate, graphite, and savory herbs with a distinctive mineral character. The finish is exceptionally long and persistent with evolving spice, fruit, and mineral notes.
The 2018 vintage in Uruguay featured favorable growing conditions with moderate temperatures and optimal rainfall distribution. The Atlantic influence provided cooling breezes during the summer months, allowing for extended hang time and excellent phenolic development. The resulting wines show exceptional concentration, structure, and balance, with the potential for long-term aging.
Bodega Garzón is a pioneering estate in Uruguay's emerging Maldonado wine region, established by Argentine businessman Alejandro Bulgheroni. The state-of-the-art winery, designed by architect Alberto Antonini, is the first LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) winery outside North America. Balasto represents their ultra-premium flagship wine, named after the distinctive ballast stone soils of the region, and showcases the exceptional quality potential of Uruguayan terroir.