Naoussa
The wine
Xinomavro reveals all the depth and complexity of Naoussa’s terroir. An approach that focuses on concentration and freshness, with typical aromas and flavours, reminiscent of small red fruits, combined with floral notes and sweet spices from the oak. The bright acidity and the refined tannins build the structure of the wine. This is a wine, which is accessible and enjoyable in its youth. At the same time, it has an extraordinary potential to evolve over the years in the bottle, unfolding all its virtues, enhancing pleasure at the dinner table.
Vintages
The vintage
The 2020 vintage showcased the predominant role of nature in our lives. The Covid19 pandemic came as a blow, just like another sudden hail ravaging the vineyard. However, the charm and the sense of surprise stemming from the uniqueness of each vintage are primarily due to the natural factor.
The winter of 2020 was relatively mild, dry and prolonged. The arrival of spring was accompanied by high rainfall levels and low temperatures down to mid-April. The vines thus grew rapidly and in May we worked intensively to manage the dense vegetation and protect the vines from diseases. The month of June was marked by warm days and cool nights extending the flowering season and the grapes started to ripen at different times. The rest of the summer went smoothly with cool temperatures and beautifully distributed showers in August.
This vintage was very similar to 2018, but a heavy rain on 26 September and the sharp fall in temperature put us in front of major decision making. We decided to wait, and we finally harvested Xinomavro in mid-October feeling immensely relieved and satisfied.
The wine style
A wine of pale ruby colour, medium aromatic intensity. On the nose, it delivers red fruit dominated by red cherry, raspberry, cranberry, and red plums; black fruit mainly bramble, damson, black cherries, and black plums; herbaceous aromas, such as tomato leaf, tomato paste, olives; spice such as allspice. Fruit is enveloped in restrained oak influence giving aromas of vanilla, cream, and butterscotch.
On the palate, the wine is dry, with medium + acidity, medium body, framed by fine-grained medium + tannins, firm but suave versus red, black fruit extract, a layer of botanical flavours and medium alcohol. It displays medium intensity of flavours but persistent and vibrant finish. Its tannins and acidity levels are balanced versus fruit and alcohol integration; a clean, elegant easygoing start on the palate but followed with layers of complexity, juiciness and characteristic herbs. This vintage can be enjoyed now but can be kept for bottle ageing as it has enough tannins to be resolved, acidity and fruit.
The vintage
The year 2019 was unique. We harvested enough healthy grapes with phenolic ripeness and at the same time acidity unprecedentedly good for a Mediterranean vineyard. It was a year that progressed smoothly from the beginning of winter and ended with the harvest in mid-October, without the vineyard enduring extreme weather conditions. The rainfall was evenly spread throughout the year and provided sufficient water for the plants, to withstand the July drought. During the hot summer the grapes ripened without heat waves, keeping the acidity at satisfactory levels. We harvested Xinomavro at the end of September, satisfied with the quality of the raw materials and with the anticipation that we will get wonderful wines that only get better with age and continue to amaze us with their character.
The wine style
A wine of medium ruby colour, medium (+) aromatic intensity. Powerful nose of sumptuous red fruit dominated by raspberry, cranberry and red plums; black fruit mainly blueberry, bramble, mulberry, damson, black cherries, and black plums; the herbaceous hallmark of Xinomavro expressed as tomato leaf and tomato paste; spice such as liquorice. The clarity of fruit is ingrained with carefully managed oak boasting aromas of vanilla, cloves, coconut, coffee and butterscotch.
On the palate, the wine is dense and solidly built. Dry, with medium + acidity, medium body, framed by lacy, fine-grained high tannins, versus generous red and black fruit extract and medium alcohol. It displays pronounced intensity of flavours and a long finish. It is balancing its high tannic grip and acidity levels versus fruit extract and alcohol integration; it is intense, complex with compelling and expressive aromas. An elegant rendition of Xinomavro, yet succinct, robust with clear varietal definition, well-crafted tannins to be resolved and concentrated fruit to support it for the longer haul. This wine is for long keeping during which it will develop even more complex aromas from bottle ageing.
The vintage
The year 2018 tested our strengths in the vineyard, but also verified the quality of the vines in extreme weather conditions. In the summer of 2017 the lateral buds were ideally formed, giving the spark for a remarkable new year. The winter of 2018 was relatively mild, with minimal snowfall even in the mountains. The first rains of March were also the last rains of spring. Following this was the warmest and driest April, indicating a premature vintage. In May and June we worked hard, in order to bring the vineyard to a balanced growth. We had a rather challenging July, with continuous afternoon rains, leading us to work in the fields continuously. Fortunately, the ideal summer conditions that prevailed from mid-August onwards rewarded us for the previous months work. The mild temperatures and cool nights helped to ripen the grapes slowly and evenly until the beginning of a sunny October, when the harvest took place.
The wine style
Bright ruby colour of medium intensity. Complex and fruity on the nose showing candied violets dripped in brandy, pomegranate, raspberries, wild strawberries, blackberries, subtle torrefact earthy notes and soft spices. A medium bodied Xinomavro with small red fruits flavours, a slightly gamey mid-palate with cherry tomato, licorice and sweet spices that linger on the long finish with the underlined acidity, light herbaceous nuances, black pepper and sappy tannins.
The vintage
This was a year with an outstanding vintage, proving that a heavy winter is ideal. In January the temperatures dropped to -15°C (5°F) and the vineyard became dormant, providing the best conditions to begin its annual cycle. In spring, the weather conditions were dry and cool, following a summer with warm but not extreme temperatures, leading to a production of extremely healthy grapes, with perfect phenolic maturation. The variation in temperature daily favoured the creation of aromas and preservation of high acidity. Harvest came early, avoiding the autumn rains and rewarding our expectations of this year’s wine.
The wine style
A profound highly aromatic bouquet with a delicate potpourri of violets, rose petals and lavender followed by dark cherries, blackberries, tar, discreet earthy notes with hints of truffles, ferrous minerals, warm spices and an elegant touch of toasted oak. A medium plus structured red with a polished texture, it reveals cool crunchy red and dark fruits that lead to a refreshing mineral mid-palate with pronounced acidity. It culminates with a long finish full of truffles, black tea, warm spices and chewy tannins.