Bracco Bosca, 2019 Gran Ombú Cabernet Franc, Atlantída, Canelones, Uruguay
Cab Franc du Jour #104
Bracco Bosca was established in 2005 by fifth-generation grape grower Fabiana Bracco. Located in the region of Atlántida, the family farms around 11 hectares planted with primarily traditional Uruguayan varieties including Tannat, Moscatel de Hamburgo, and Ugni Blanc, alongside other French varieties and less than a hectare of Cabernet Franc. When Fabiana’s ancestors first settled on this farm, a large Ombú tree stood on the property, a symbol of deep cultural significance in both Uruguay and Argentina. That tree holds a particular emotional resonance for the family and is depicted on all of their labels. Despite the modest Cabernet Franc plantings, the Gran Ombú is the estate’s top wine and has garnered considerable acclaim in a short period of time.
Cabernet Franc in Uruguay
The Uruguayan wine industry is vastly different from the two countries most commonly associated with South American wine. With approximately 5,991 hectares under vine, Uruguay’s total vineyard area is around 4% of Chile’s and less than 3% of Argentina’s. Tannat is the country’s flagship variety, and while Cabernet Franc represents around 4% of the area under vine, it has shown real promise over the last two decades as Uruguay’s quality revolution has taken hold.
The climate of Uruguay’s wine regions is also fundamentally different from those of its neighbours. Chile and Argentina are broadly characterized by Mediterranean conditions with very low rainfall, while Uruguay experiences a strong Atlantic Ocean influence that brings higher rainfall and humidity, cooler temperatures, and considerably more vintage variation than is typical in Chile or Argentina. The result is a moderate maritime climate across all of Uruguay’s growing regions.
There are three main viticultural areas in the country. The largest, combining the regions of Canelones and Montevideo, accounts for around 78% of total vineyard area. The Western Coast and Río de la Plata regions represent approximately 10%, and the Eastern Coast, including Maldonado, Rocha, and Lavalleja, accounts for around 7%.
Canelones and the Atlántida Sub-Region
Bracco Bosca is located in Canelones, and more specifically in the sub-region of Atlántida. The combined regions of Canelones and Montevideo represent the historic centre of the Uruguayan wine industry, with vineyards likely established here as early as the 17th century. The proximity to the capital city of Montevideo and the nature of the local terroir drove an industry focused on quantity rather than quality for most of the 20th century.
Canelones accounts for around 85% of the vineyard area in this combined region and covers a large expanse, roughly 65km wide and 40km from north to south, with considerable variability in microclimates and soils across its extent. Generally speaking, conditions become wetter, more humid, and warmer as you move west along the Atlantic coast or further inland. Soils across the region vary broadly but tend toward rich clays and clay-loams with varying amounts of calcareous materials, silts, and pink granite.
Atlántida is one of Canelones’ 11 sub-regions, but it sits in an unusually isolated position, about 70km east of the main Canelones centre and roughly halfway between Canelones and the Maldonado region on Uruguay’s Eastern Coast. As a result, conditions here are a touch cooler and somewhat drier than across the rest of Canelones. As is the case across most of Uruguay’s growing regions, altitude plays little role in moderating the climate.
The Vineyard
The Bracco Bosca vineyards sit only about 8km from the Atlantic Ocean, giving them the benefit of constant cooling Atlantic breezes. That airflow helps widen the diurnal temperature range between day and night, which preserves natural acidity, extends the growing season, and reduces both humidity and disease pressure. The estate sits at around 50m above sea level on a very gentle north-facing slope that aids drainage and air movement. The soils are calcareous clay-loam, with a good balance between drainage and moisture retention. The Cabernet Franc vines are among the oldest on the estate, at nearly 30 years of age.
In the Cellar
The grapes are hand-harvested and fully destemmed. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, with a cold soak preceding alcoholic fermentation and a post-fermentation maceration averaging 14 to 21 days. Aging takes place in 225L French oak barrels for around 10 months. Total production is typically around 900 bottles per year.
Wine Details
Producer: Bracco Bosca
Region: Canelones and Montevideo, Uruguay
Sub-Region: Canelones
Sub-Region: Atlantída
Soils: Calcareous clay-loam
Alcohol: 14.0%