Steeped in history, Tacama is the first vineyard of South America, created in 1540 in the valley of Ica, Peru by the Spaniard Francisco de Carabantes. In the late 18th century, Spain, by a protectionist measure, prohibited the import of wines from Peru. This led to a turn towards distillation, thus emerging the Peruvian grape brandy: Pisco. In 1821, Tacama was owned by a convent, the architecture of which has remained until now. In the 20th century, French technology was introduced with winemakers such as Robert Niederman, Jean Ribereau Gayon, Emile Peynaud, Alain Carbonneau, Max Rivers, and Pascal Ribereau Gayon. This is pertinent to the bold style of wines they make today alongside their Pisco.
Don Manuel Tannat grapes are sourced from an old, ungrafted, 35-year-old vineyard planted by Frédéric Thibaut. Aged over a year in part new oak, this wine is deep, punching with ripe black fruit, with creamy oak, dark chocolate, firm tannins. We would not raise an eyebrow if one were to think this was made in France itself.
Red
Tannat 'Don Manuel'