Bodega Bouza
Bouza is a small family-owned producer with 35 hectares of vineyards planted over four separate vineyards. There are significant plantings of Tannat, Uruguay’s signature grape, along with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Tempranillo, Riesling and Albariño (they were the first to introduce this variety to the country). The estate was founded in 2000 by Juan and Elisa on the site of a 1940s winery and with their single vineyard Tannat releases, has rapidly become perhaps the country’s most critically acclaimed producer. Two of the vineyards are near the winery and are home to the Albariño and most of the Chardonnay, Merlot and Tannat. A more recent project has been the development of the Pan de Azucar and Las Espinas vineyards in the far east of the country where it is significantly colder. Here is planted Riesling and Pinot Noir along with small amounts of the other varieties and the wines from this area have shown huge promise, with vibrant acidity and intense fruit profiles.