Winemaker Notes
The color is bright, deep and clear ruby-red. On the nose, it is dense with strength and power. Aromas are focused on red fruits such as morello, blackberries and red cherries as well as dried herbs, aromas of spices and a mineral touch. On the mouth, it has a medium-plus body with an intriguing acidity and very qualitative tannins. Flavors of red fruits, earth and minerals along with tobacco and spices are apparent. The finish is long, complex, and constantly evolves.
Blend: 100% Agiorgitiko
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2008 Grande Cuvee is an Agiorgitiko, aged in new French oak for approximately 12 months. It is revisited this issue for a status check. I've been a bit up and down on this brand (and this vintage). After downgrading it last time, a new submission arrived to prove a point – and I think it mostly did. This is more in line with my first look at this vintage and more in line with where I expected this bottling to wind up after I first saw it. If the second look gave me some concern, this clearly is now giving evidence of pulling itself together. It adds a layer of velvet that the 2004 (the other library vintage of this bottling reviewed this issue) lacked and it shows better balance overall while maintaining the same basic concepts – crispness, good fruit and a real backbone. Speaking of fruit, that has really emerged now, too, mostly rising above the oak and seeming very tasty. This should be just fine, but it can still improve in the cellar. I rarely find this bottling as interesting as the more complex and more concentrated Megas Oenos, but this is showing awfully well. There were 1,250 cases produced. Drink now-2023.
Beyond the usual suspects, there are hundreds of red grape varieties grown throughout the world. Some are indigenous specialties capable of producing excellent single varietal wines, while others are better suited for use as blending grapes. Each has its own distinct viticultural characteristics, as well as aroma and flavor profiles, offering much to be discovered by the curious wine lover. In particular, Portugal and Italy are known for having a multitude of unique varieties but they can really be found in any region.
Home of Greece’s famous and praise-worthy red variety, Agiorgitiko, Nemea is part of the Peloponnese.
DMDGC08_2008 Item# 146312