Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2013 Naoussa (the second vintage using 500 liter barrels) is predictably more lifted and balanced than the 2012, also reviewed. The vintage styles tend to lend themselves to that, the 2012s being a bit richer and softer, the 2013s a bit fresher and better structured. This 2013 has plenty of power, but also good balance. The fruit is nicely defined and lifted. It is fresh and delicious, bright and elegant. This should age pretty well, but I won't be surprised if it is approachable young. It may come around pretty fast.
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.
Naoussa is home to one of Greece’s most age-worthy reds: Xinomavro. Flourishing on the sun-exposed, southeastern-facing slopes of Mount Vermio between 700 to 1,700 feet in elevation, some say Xinomavro is Greece's red counterpart to its famous white, Assyrtiko. Others liken it to Italy's well-respected, highly perfumed and powerful, Nebbiolo.