Mozaik Mahrem Tannat 2011
In my research into Turkish wineries I knew that there was one called Mozaik somewhere in Urla. It wasn’t until a wine tasting I attended though that I finally managed to have one of their wines. After that there was no stopping me and I got my hands on as many of their wines as I could.
Mozaik Winery
Mozaik Winery’s vineyards and the Mahrem wines produced in its on-site winery are a family project. In 2006 they planted their vines in Urla, near Izmir, smack in the Urla Bağ Yolu.
Situated between Izmir and the famous resort town of Çeşme; Urla is the heart of Izmir-based vineyards. Long before the vineyards currently located in this area people were making wine. Including, to name a few, the Ionians, the Persians, and the Romans.
The area has touched the lives of many famous and important characters such as the Greek philosopher Anaxagoras, the Roman ruler Dominiatus, Evliya Çelebi, the Noble Laureate Seferis and the near distant Turkish writer of fame, Necati Cumalı.
When the subject is viticulture for wine production, Urla is one of the premier spots in Turkey. In the fertile soils of the region, besides internationally known grapes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, Sangiovese, and Nero D’Avola; Anatolian varieties such as Boğazkere, Sultana and the local Bornova Muscat also thrive.
Mozaik produced only red wines under their label Mahrem (Turkish for ‘private’). After careful consideration of the geography and the history of the region they chose to cultivate: Syrah, Sangiovese, Corinto, Montepulciano, Petit Verdot, Tannat, Marselan, Ekigaïna, and Rebo. Several of these are very unusual to find in Turkey at all, and some are not grown anywhere but in Mozaik’s vineyards.
At Mozaik they are dedicated organic farming with little to no manipulation. They pay great attention and care to the vine and employ special pruning techniques, tailored for each varietal, to reduce the burden on their plants throughout the growing season.
Mozaik is not the only Turkish winery cultivating Tannat; but it is by no means a common grape varietal here. As a young vineyard Mozaik’s wines are also still very young but that did not stop me from drinking this one as soon as I got my hands on it. It also hasn’t stopped it from winning awards. This Mahrem Tannat 2011 scored 86 points with Decanter in 2016 and received an IWC commendation.
So now, the wine!
Mozaik Mahrem Tannat 2011 Tasting Notes
Mozaik takes as much care with their wines as they do in the vineyard. This Tannat was aged for 18 months in new French oak barrels. I suspect it also may be unfiltered and would love for someone who knows to tell me if my guess is correct or not.
This very opaque and intensely garnet wine wants some breathing. I decanted it two hours before we broke into it and that really helped open up the bouquet. Big aromas of red/back fruits, black currant leaf, forest floor, black pepper, and sweet tobacco intrigue and seduce the senses.
Urla is very much a warm to hot climate and that is reflected in the wines made there. The Mahrem Tannat has a whopping 14% ABV. The high alcohol does not unbalance this beauty though. A strong acidic backbone supports slightly gritty tannins. A thoughtful flavor progression sees tart raspberry on the attack, followed by tobacco and earth with lingering black pepper.
I have seven more wines from Mozaik in my cellar (read repurposed hall shoe cupboard!) and after this Tannat I’m more excited than ever to drink the rest of them!