Call me ignorant, but I was this old when I found out they make wine in Bolivia - and fairly good wine at that!

I attended a tasting done by Rodrigo Trigo, the Vinos Barbacana owner, where he told us that they get 200 days of sunshine in Tarija, and combined with their 2,000 meters altitude, ends up resulting in some strong, highly acidic results.

First off was the Summun 2024.

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SUMMUN by Barbacana (2024) - 4 ⭐

Dark as a wolf's mouth and comes down the glass like an oil slick. Shoe polish, dark chocolate liqueur, prunes, licorice, cashew. Makes it rain in your mouth right away. Mahogany. Coffee after it breathes.

Red Wine from Tarija

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Wine label for SUMMUN by Barbacana. Red wine. from Valle Central de Tarija, Tarija, Bolivia. TannatWine label for SUMMUN by Barbacana. Red wine. from Valle Central de Tarija, Tarija, Bolivia. Tannat
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Then the Cantalavi 2024, which had a lot of personality, even if it wasn't as much my style as the Summun, while also being a softer wine (I might have led with it instead).

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Cantalavi by Barbacana (2024) - 3½ ⭐

Violets, if too cold. Herbs, bergamot, plums, tobacco, leather.  Slithers down. Blood dark. Give it time and it gives you herbs and coffee.... 1/2 

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Wine label for Cantalavi by Barbacana. Red wine. from Valle Central de Tarija, Tarija, Bolivia. Syrah, Tannat
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He then brought out the Tanat Reserva 2023, which he introduced by saying "I don't have sons, only daughters, but my daughters say this wine is my son". I can see why he'd phrase it that way.

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Tanat Reserva by Barbacana (2023) - 4 ⭐

Blood, chorizo, steak, spices - this thing is a barbecue in a glass. Cacao, coffee, cherry. Elegant. Less of a show-off than the Sumun. Works by itself, could go with meat.... 1/2 

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Wine label for Tanat Reserva by Barbacana. Red wine. from Valle Central de Tarija, Tarija, Bolivia. Tannat
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...Leaves freshly cut grass on the glass, then tobacco if you leave it by itself for a long time. 2/2 

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Wine label for Tanat Reserva by Barbacana. Red wine. from Valle Central de Tarija, Tarija, Bolivia. Tannat
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And we closed with their Singani, made entirely with Moscatel de Alejandría.

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Singani Premium by Barbacana (N.V.) - 4½ ⭐

Moscatel de Alejandría, fermented with skins as you would do with a red grape.

Jazmine, white flowers, lemongrass, green tea, wormwood, cypress.

A no fucking around drink, as if chamomile tea was a spirit. 

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Wine label for Singani Premium by Barbacana. Singani wine. from Singani, Tarija, Bolivia. Moscatel de AlejandríaWine label for Singani Premium by Barbacana. Singani wine. from Singani, Tarija, Bolivia. Moscatel de Alejandría
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We had it both by itself and as a Singani Sour, but frankly, a spirit this good it's a waste to mix it.

Now I have yet another country on my list of places to visit for wine.