Bodega Garzón

Bodega Garzon Balasto 2020

Icon Wine
Dark Fruits
Cellar Worthy

Awarded 98 points by Tim Atkin and 96 by James Suckling, this flagship blend is deep, elegant, and structured for the cellar. Aromas of plum, violets, and graphite lead into a layered palate of cocoa, dark fruit, and spice. “Polished and curated,” says Suckling — with aging potential through 2040.

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How it tastes

Fruit

Tannin

Quick facts

Pairs with: Herb-crusted rack of lamb, Dry-aged ribeye with black garlic, Wild mushroom risotto
Region: Maldonado
Vintage: 2020
ABV: 14.5%
Sweetness: Dry
Body: Medium-full
Drink: Drink now–2035
Serve at: 60–65°F
Decant: 1–2 hours before drinking

MORE INFORMATION

Deep garnet in the glass, Balasto 2020 opens with layered aromas of blackberry, cassis, orange peel, and violets, laced with notes of graphite, fresh herbs, and subtle toast. The palate is elegant yet powerful, offering finely-knit tannins and vibrant acidity that carries flavors of dark plum, crushed stone, cocoa, and spice into a long, structured finish. A wine of both finesse and gravitas — balanced, expressive, and cellar-worthy.

Winemaking:

Fermentation: In 80 HL cement tanks with native yeasts
Aging: 20 months in large untoasted French oak casks (botti)
Blend Composition: 42% Tannat, 39% Cabernet Franc, 19% Petit Verdot
Alcohol: 14.5%

Food Pairing Suggestions:

Herb-crusted rack of lamb
Dry-aged ribeye with black garlic
Wild mushroom risotto
Lentils with pancetta and rosemary
Manchego or aged pecorino

Serving Temperature:

Serve at 17–18º C (63–65º F). Decant for at least 1–2 hours to open up the structure and aromatics.

92 pts

Sustainably farmed

Ships to 42 states

Secure checkout

Bodega Garzon Balasto 2020

$155.99

"I don't open Balasto often, and that's exactly what makes it special. It's the bottle I reach for when we're celebrating something meaningful with family or close friends. Some wines become part of the memory, and for me, this is one of them."

CO-FOUNDER, URUGUAY WINE CO.

About This Wine

Where does this wine come from?

Bodega Garzón, Maldonado, Uruguay Nestled among the rolling granite hills of Maldonado, just a few miles from Uruguay's Atlantic coast, Bodega Garzón is one of South America's most distinctive wine estates. More than 1,000 individually managed vineyard parcels are shaped by ancient weathered granite soils, cooling ocean breezes, and a mild maritime climate that allows grapes to ripen slowly while preserving remarkable freshness. Surrounded by olive groves and the quiet village of Garzón, the estate feels wonderfully removed from the world's traditional wine routes—an off-the-beaten-path destination where the landscape is as memorable as the wines themselves.

Who makes this wine?

Alberto Antonini & Germán Bruzzone

Internationally acclaimed Italian winemaker Alberto Antonini and Uruguayan Chief Winemaker Germán Bruzzone lead the winemaking at Bodega Garzón. Together, they believe great wines begin in the vineyard, carefully managing each individual parcel to express the estate's unique Atlantic climate, granite soils, and natural diversity. Their collaborative approach has helped establish Garzón as one of Uruguay's most internationally recognized wineries.

Why did we choose this wine?

We chose this wine because it represents the very best of Bodega Garzón. Named after the weathered granite that defines the estate's vineyards, Balasto is a collector's wine that captures the precision, patience, and ambition that have made Garzón one of South America's benchmark wineries.

Can you ship to my state?

We ship to 42 States. We do not ship to UT, LA, MS, KY, HI, DE, PA, AK

Two people toasting with wine glasses against a blurred outdoor background.

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