Winemaker Notes
In the nose, the fruit expression is impressive with gooseberry, bitter cherry, strawberry and cherry filling the glass. Tomato paste, licorice, bitter chocolate and cocoa are combined with clove and cinnamon while leather and ink allusions complete the uniquely complicated bouquet which continues to develop as the wine breathes.
In the mouth, medium bodied with the characteristic acidity of Xinomavro and the strong tannins that are indicative of its youth.The fruit is intense with the cherry and gooseberry stealing the show. The long lasting aftertaste leaves the sense of bitter chocolate and licorice in the mouth.
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.