Winemaker Notes
Bright purple-red color. Complex, typical bouquet of small berries red fruits, leather and spices (vanilla, pepper, clove), with hints of ripe blackberry. Full mouth, rounded tannins, balanced acidity and well integrated wood tones. Long aftertaste with intense quince aroma.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The Alpha Estate 2023 Amyndeon Xinomavro Hedgehog Single Vineyard is made entirely from grapes grown at 690 meters above sea level in the Hedgehog subregion of Amyndeon. The wine shows good style and substance, with richness and volume gained through aging in French oak. Plum, dark fruit and spice are framed by notes of toast and sweet oak, while hints of tomato leaf, olive and dried herbs underscore the variety's identity. The palate is medium-plus in weight with polished tannins and a balanced interplay of freshness and structure. Rooted in sandy and sandy clay soils over limestone, the vineyards benefit from cool conditions in northern Greece.
Native to Greece, Xinomavro is widely regarded the finest red wine of the country. Its name literally means “acid black”, and attains fullest potential in the country’s northwest region of Naoussa. These single varietal bottlings of Xinomavro (blending is not allowed here) are often compared to the fine Barolos of Italy for their structure, finesse and age-worthiness. While its vines are fickle and blue-black grapes grow in tight clusters, similar to Nebbiolo, Xinomavro actually appears unrelated. Somm Secret—The use of French oak can help tame Xinomavro but too much can overwhelm it. Some eschew oak entirely during winemaking; other producers use locally-grown walnut.
As one of the few continental-climate, mountainous growing areas of Greece, Macedonia produces notable, high-quality red wines. Xinomavro is its star variety, capable of making a spicy and age-worthy red.