2018 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS
"I'm a big fan of this wine and always have a few under the stairs! on the lighter side of medium bodied with lots of red fruits, acidity quite high. Some herbal notes and lovely spice on the finish. I always serve it cool, but not cold. Too cold and the tannins take over"
Ms Lisa Harlow (16-Nov-2020)
Mr Angus Clark (24-Oct-2020)
"Wouldn't drink on its own but I highly recommend pairing this with moussaka, it really brings out the best in both."
Ms Hannah Dennerly (18-Oct-2020)
"A great discovery. People have compared to Beaujolais. It is much lighter than that. As a red wine drinker primarily I’ve enjoyed this wine with fish and seafood. Chill, yes, but that’s probably the best strategy for all reds under £25!"
Professor Robert Moon (14-Oct-2020)
"Rather good. A sort of Pinot Noir with a bite. There's not much length, but the initial attack is good with some pleasing herbaceous notes. Greek wines have so much to offer and I love exploring these different styles."
Mr James Kilmister (09-Oct-2020)
"I like trying different wine grapes and if you want a different wine, have a try. We thoroughly enjoyed this wine, especially with lamb chops. I would buy again"
Mr Charles Crichton (06-Oct-2020)
"My first time trying this grape. I was really pleased with it and will be buying some more. The hype about this great grape was absolutely right "
Mr Charles A Sturt (25-Sep-2020)
"Pleasant but not the complexity of the last vintage in my view."
Mr Colin Mitchell (23-Sep-2020)
"A good example of the xinomavro grape. Fruity but a little tight. A bit like a mixture of Gamay and Pinot Noir. Goes well with roast lamb or stew. I haven;t tried it chilled, as some people suggest. Next time I'll do that. Come on, Wine Society, let's have more Greek wine."
Mr David Blake (20-Sep-2020)
"Am so sorry but I have to agree with the negative reviews on this one. I just cannot see the appeal. When the bottle was first opened I definitely got petiance (which I know is usually a white wine nuance) and I then thought it was off. I let the wine breathe and it tasted marginally better, but it was still lacking any real flavour. Not even any discernible primary fruit flavours. There were two other people with me and they agreed it wasn't good. It is one of the very rare times I have tipped the wine down the sink which was particularly galling given the price of the wine. Maybe it would taste better served chilled in the burning hot sun whilst being on holiday!"
Mrs Katherine Morgan (15-Sep-2020)
"I am sorry to say this wine is not one I would consider buying again, nor indeed did I finish the bottle.
The only place I can think of that would make it even remotely attractive would be in under a canopy in a Greek taverna, with some strong flavoured food in the heat of the day.
Many of the other reviews have accurate observations in them: you'll either love it or hate it, you may not find any points of reference for the taste, etc.
There's not much point trying to describe it by reference to other grape varieties; it's particularly Greek. You may well recognise that character if you frequent Greek tavernas. However, most of the wine I've had in Greece was a lot better than this.
To sum up: to my mind the nose was weak, the wine was thin (over-filtered under pressure, through a microfine filter, I strongly suspect), the fruit lacking, and the value less than half the £10.95 a bottle price tag.
Unless you really love experiments, you'll be taking a risk with this one.
(When I offered it my discerning wife to try, she took one sniff and said "Revolting". I wouldn't go that far, but the best I can say of it is "innocuous".)"
Mr Rodney P Boothroyd (07-Sep-2020)
"Pale ruby much like a Pinot.
Aromas of red fruits (red cherry, raspberry, strawberry, red plum, redcurrant) much like a Pinot, but also mint and cloves Dry, medium bodied, medium alcohol, medium tannin. Alcohol nicely integrated with the fruit, warming no burn; medium length with a slight sour cherry (Nebbiolo?) taste. Lightly oaked hence the presence of cloves, perhaps a bit of cedar too. No tertiary (only 2018).
Went very well with soft French cheese at about 15 degrees but tastes good slightly chilled say 9 degrees, I could drink this with highly flavoured shellfish too.
Conclusion: Very good wine, drinks well now not for ageing past a couple of years, but good value for money."
Mr Steven Quigley (05-Sep-2020)
"OK - I think this is definitely a "marmite" wine. You'll either go wow or ugh. I bought a case of 6 on the basis of the reviews here. First bottle I chilled (fridge cold) - drank with a spicy gumbo - it stood up OK - but (and a big but) - the initial tip of the tongue taste is very sweet and ribena like and the finish especially chilled is very upturn italian - really quite so -- almost negroni like (I'm not a fan).
I don't really remember the 2nd bottle as it was pulled out at the end of an evening.
3rd bottle - drunk cool but NOT chilled - sweetness de-emphasised, nice light tannin in the finish - still got that italianic twist to it (yes I know it's Greek). Altogether more interesting. Yeh I can get the PN / Nebiolo associations (front and finish) -- but actually I think that's just searching for points of reference -- and there aren't really any !!!! I think this would work well instead of a Beaujolais and I'm about to try with Calves Liver with sage etc. -- And I KNOW its going to work. (I was going to open a Barberesco but thought this might work.) Definitely better at just below room temp rather than chilled -- it allows the more interesting nuances to come forward.
Would I buy again -- yes - if the next 2 bottles work for me - but they might not. But then without trying things life would be dull
"
Mr T Penn (07-Aug-2020)
"We love this wine! Immediate response was 'amazing on the nose' then 'yum, pinot noir'. Which turns out to be how it is described (I'm no expert). Last evening enjoyed our third bottle (not in one sitting! ??) with a Thermomix salad of seared steak strips, avocado, rocket, walnut, rosemary, basil, lime juice and 'Oro' Spanish oil. Yes it needs to be cool as a PN. Will buy again. "
Mrs Leonie Harvey (26-Jul-2020)
"This is the first Wine Society wine I tasted and would not recommend.
The wine is lacking in substance, tastes more like weak Ribena than wine.
Leaves an unpleasant lingering chemical taste on the palate.
"
Mr Christopher Kallis (20-Jul-2020)
Miss Caroline Fenneymore (18-Jul-2020)
"Our first experience of this wine soon confirmed our liking for it, since when we've enjoyed it on its own and with various foods, most recently with roasted shoulder of kid. Very pleasing, especially when drunk slightly on the cool side. Easily drinkable, but can be savoured too. We shall certainly purchase some more of this, and maybe try the same winemakers's Rapsani, also made from the xinomavro grape."
Mr Julian Edgington (14-Jul-2020)
"This is very very good indeed -especially for the price. Tasted blind I wouldnt have been surprised if this was one or any of Pinot Noir, Gamay, Nebbiolo ( maybe even some cool climate Syrah.?). Bought a 6 pack but am going back to buy a full case now. "
Mr Christy York (13-Jul-2020)
"An excellent wine, a joy to drink. Will definitely order it again "
Mr Robert Taylor (06-Jul-2020)
Mr Alastair Allan (03-Jul-2020)
"This is a delicious and complex wine. Notes of herbs and fruit reminiscent of rhone wines, a very satisfying mouthful of a hot area wine, far more complex than most such at this price. "
Ms Selina Dix Hamilton (19-Jun-2020)
"My first ever bottle of Greek wine: very good indeed, a bit like a light Pinot Noir or a Beaujolais. Smooth and seductive. "
Professor Rene Weis (19-Jun-2020)
"Bought this on members recommendations and Decanter review (July 2020) and was not disappointed. It is amazingly drinkable, but also develops into a complex wine. Lots of red fruit and really pleasant finish. It’s a perfect Summer red and I’m going to try the next bottle slightly chilled, but I’m looking forward to drinking it with grilled meat at any time of year. "
David T M Young Esq (13-Jun-2020)
"What a surprise. Lovely unoaked fresh light red - strawberry/raspberry flavour with a smokey finish. Reminds me of some of the Barolo wines. Tried it chilled as well and can see why others have compared it to a Pinot.
Very good value wine at this price point. Will go back for more."
Mr Matt Wilks (24-May-2020)
"I think this is an excellent wine for the price and taste, agree with most other reviews on the pinot noir similarity but with other subtleties coming through, still enjoying the bottle long after dinner has finished. Worth a buy throughout summer and Autumn imo. "
Mr Robert Carney (23-May-2020)
"Perfect summer red. Light and fruity and as others have said, it has a hint of Pinot noir about it. An excellent Greek red. Just wish we had more choice from Greece such as the Porto Carras and Hatzimichalis wines which are superb."
Mr Darren Hedgley (11-May-2020)
"Very distinctive and characterful. Light bodied and herbal. Don't drink it with hearty food. I would expect it to work well slightly chilled."
Professor Stephen Babbage (08-May-2020)
"I’d say the description of this wine says it all! I felt it had a real elegance and, probably showing my ignorance, would never have guessed it was Greek!
Lovely subtle wine. Will definitely buy again. "
Mr Mike Gerrard (27-Apr-2020)
"nice easy going mid week quaffer . although preferred the 2017"
Mr Martyn Simmons (23-Apr-2020)
"I bought six as my first order because my ill fated pre corona case disappeared before it was completed.
This did what it needed to. It provided me with some budget reds that will prevent me making too much of a dent in my stash, offered a summer friendly option for these warmer days in the garden, introduced me to an entry level darling of the site, and provided just enough interest to consider bringing it out in the company of hobbyists.
Tasted blind...yeah not a hope. The descriptions here are pretty solid. For me this is medium light, medium to medium plus acid (although firmly medium after air and a few more degrees), medium light tannin....red fruit to the fore, a touch of wood and spice on the nose which comes in waves on the mid palate before yielding to a a dry, tart and surprisingly long lived finish.
Impressive at the price point, sufficiently interesting from an enthusiasts standpoint, and completely approachable.
I can't seem to give a 3.5 but I would if I could. Pleased with the purchase.
"
Mr Dale Lowey (22-Apr-2020)
"tried this at teh wine tasiting in leeds and immediately placed an order at the event, bought more since, as a regular vistor to greece some "local wines" can be very good to indifferent but ususally of a reasonable standard, this however is lovely, it has a wonderful pinot noir edge to it and is thorougly drinkable perhaps too thoroughly, the only thing to cap this wine would be 36 degrees to drink it in!!!"
Mr Ian Charlton (17-Apr-2020)
"I had read that this grape could take chilling and it can. Chilled it is delicious rather like a fuller bodied gamay/beaujolais nouveau with summer fruit and dangerously quaffable. Later once back to room temperature, it became a bit like a medium bodied pinot noir (eg chilean) with dark cherry and an almost chianti flavour.
Really liked it .Like two wines in the same bottle! Will order again for chilled summer drinking ."
Dr Graham J Francis (09-Apr-2020)
"This wine was eminently drinkable. On the day of opening it was very round with a cherry taste and left a good aftertaste. On day 2, it was fuller, peppery, and quite excellent. It’s easy to drink and, even though I don’t keep pizzas at home, I’m sure it would have gone down a treat with a pizza."
Mr Derek Saul (01-Apr-2020)
"This is a great find - Greek red not known for being too drinkable but this is a lovely table wine. Drinks well especially with the Sunday Roast. Tried 2 bottles and both were superb. Will definitely add to the next order.
"
Mr Martin Adams (01-Apr-2020)
"For fun, I recently ordered a case selected from wines that I wouldn't normally buy, based purely on other members' 4 and 5 star reviews and this was one of them. Intriguing! We tasted liquorice and dark summer fruits - very long flavoured and enjoyable. It's dangerously drinkable......"
Dr Paul Stockbridge (25-Mar-2020)
"Five stars for the quality/price ratio. Very drinkable and first impression was a pinot noir look-alike, but subtly different.
"
Mrs Caroline Pygott (23-Mar-2020)
"I've tried a few interesting sounding reds from here with mixed success, but this one is a cracker. Hard to describe, body is rather like like pinot noir but it's much more zingy on the palate. Tastes fresh, nicely dry, herby and incredibly moreish. Delicious. "
Mr Thomas Kirby (22-Mar-2020)
"Easy to drink but not something that leaves an impression. "
Prof Agamemnon Epenetos (16-Mar-2020)
Ms Gillian S Rees (15-Mar-2020)
"An excellent wine for the price. A surprisingly the light and fruity Greek wine reminiscent of a Beaujolais or a Loire red. Fresh acidity with sweet red fruit. Recommended "
Mr Keith Jordan (07-Mar-2020)
"ref my review above: the last time I was in Greece was 2015 (but reverberations of 2008 I mentioned had just reached a harmonic)."
Mr Rory Todd (06-Mar-2020)
"well there we are....I like Greek wine (or I might say, even at my most Eyeorish, I have nothing against it). The last time I was in the country I drank the red and the white of the house: both very good and they were practically paying me to drink them (£3)-but there again it was 2008 and it was a time when bargains walked the earth. Joking aside: this is pleasant wine BUT. It is very sweet. It is not remotely like Burgundy. It is like some Californian versions. The Society sell a low end (I don't mean bad, I mean sub £15) California pinot called Parker Station. This is similar. Fruit yes. But most of all sweet fruity. Very sweet. If you have children with a birthday coming up you might consider it. Ask the Society if they will throw in some paper cups. If, like that famous fan of cherry cola (and indeed of 2008 bargains) Warren Buffet, you like sweet reds then this one might suit you."
Mr Rory Todd (06-Mar-2020)
"Have to agree with others. I have had this at two WS tastings and each time it outclassed more expensive wines. Not a big or deep wine and certainly no Barolo (see below) but light, crunchy, good acidity and delicious drinking. A bit like a light pinot to me."
Mr John Wheeldon (05-Mar-2020)
"Cherry fruit , with a tang of medicinal edge at the end. This is a compliment- I liked the flavour.
One slight note of caution. I am sure that the bottle didnt contain the full 70 cl as it became empty earlier than I was expecting..."
Mr Frederick Matthews (01-Mar-2020)
"Interesting to see the blaze of five stars. This is indeed my first meeting with Xinomavro, but I'll confess I was hoping for a little more. Yes, there is a delicious bright red cherry and redcurrant fruit, but for a wine often cited as being similiar to Barolo, I found it rather lacking in dept and structure. Maybe it's the young vines. structure.
Don't get me wrong, it was delicious Monday night glass of wine, light, bright and fresh. But I have had more oomph from elsewhere in Greece, so
I'd give three out of five stars; it's good, but it's not that good.
And it's certainly not expensive, just not that interesting."
Mr Matthew F Hayes (18-Feb-2020)
"A gorgeous wine, tasted at a tasting last night and it really stood out amongst the reds and easily held its own against reds £5+ more expensive. Have already placed an order. "
Mr Charles Littlewood (18-Feb-2020)
"Echo all the other reviews. Just a wonderful wine."
Mr Jonathan Taylor (18-Feb-2020)
"Terrific. Absolutely great. Not even considering the price point."
Mr Marcin Krupowicz (15-Feb-2020)
"Attended my first member tasting event last night and came across this Greek Beauty - light in texture, but packs a punch and my first ever tasting of a Greek Red (and won't be the last, as I purchased another bottle last night)......highly recommended."
Mr Ken Valledy (14-Feb-2020)
"Tried this at the wine tasting in Leeds and ordered a case whilst I was there, wonderful wine, won't be without this"
Mr Ian Charlton (13-Feb-2020)
"Superb aroma, soft red fruits, juicy. Will be buying more!"
Mr Jonathan Marshall (07-Feb-2020)
"This is a delightful wine, not complex but full of fruit and flavour, I was introduced to this on New Years Eve (2019/20) and after my first order I will continue to have it close by. Excellent."
Mr Patrick Harpur (02-Feb-2020)
Mr Georgios Stamenas (19-Jan-2020)
"Proper nice"
Mr Michael Ward (25-Oct-2019)
"Got 2 bottles as part of wine plan, just opened the second to confirm the quality, amazing! Never really found a good Greek Red before, but I'm ordering a couple of cases now...."
Mr John Hayes (20-Oct-2019)
"Don't normally look at wines from Greece due to holiday experiance with greek wines ;but what a surprise its almost a Pinot Noit type wine light weight loads and loads of red fruit well balanced can even be put in the fridge for an hour before drinking but at this price what is there not to enjoy wonderful wine "
Mr Jonathan Wilson (23-Sep-2019)
"This is a lovely wine. Light in colour and full of fruit it’s very natural and flavoursome. Wonderful to try something different and a bargain at this price in my view "
Mr James Cartwright (04-Aug-2019)
2018 VINTAGE - PRESS REVIEWS
The Scotsman (19th Sep 2020)
"Greece's top quality
red grape originated from Naoussa in Greece's Macedonia - and today it is the
sole grape allowed there - and also widely planted across central and western
Macedonia. Its red fruits, savoury palate and brusque dry tannins appeal to
nebbiolo lovers. [This wine] offer unbeatable value and an easy-going
introduction to this grape. - Rose Murray Brown"
The Mail on Sunday (23rd Aug 2020)
"From one of the best
winemakers in Greece, this has a fruity-savoury frisson. Outstanding. - Olly Smith"
Imbibe (4th Jul 2020)
"Confirming how great
the renowned [Apostolos Thymiopoulos] is with [xinomavro] …Deceptively light
with red fruits and fine tannins on the palate … delicious. - Justin Keay"
The Daily Telegraph (11th Jul 2020)
"The 50 best summer
wines: Native to Greece, the xinomavro grape often resembles nebbiolo but this
one is unexpectedly juicy too. It has a supple, silky feel, a voluble fragrance
of wild strawberries and then a quinine-like twist. A huge hit. - Victoria Moore"
The Sunday Times (28th Jun 2020)
"Here’s a star buy
from the northern region of Naoussa. Medium-bodied and translucent, it’s rather
like a good pinot noir yet with distinct floral, fruity aromas and a touch of
oak. A great summer red. - Will Lyons"
Rotherham Advertiser (4th Jun 2020)
"Lovely red fruits and
a bit of mint. - David Clay"
Decanter (3rd Jun 2020)
"Earth and Sky's
little brother, this is the young vine approach to the Naoussa vineyards.
Zippy, zesty and pure, with notes of local herbs and wild grasses. Bright with
red fruits; made with 40% wholes bunches to amplify the juiciness, Rustic, in a
good way, ready-made for sausages and barbecued meat. Not just a drink-me-now
wine: tasting back to 2007 (2006 was the first vintage) shows its longevity. - Sarah Jane Evans MW"
Manchester Evening News (20th Feb 2020)
"… wowed me with its
elegant notes of red fruits and herbs. The wine … is neither easy to say or to
write. But by golly it is easy to sip. It's a Greek grape, reminiscent of pinot
noir. - Jane Clare"
the-buyer.net (31st Jul 2019)
"... inexpensive but zippy, red-fruit dominant … Justin Keay"
2017 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS
"I came across this at the Wine Society stand in Guildford last March. Just putting in my third order after a dinner party last night where a guest who had had it before remembered it as the Greek wine I’d served previously and a big smile came over his face. As other members have said, it tastes like a medium range Pinot, at a low range Burgundy price point. Great structure, without being to aggressive and very easy to open a second bottle. Excellent value. "
Mr D Humphries (09-Feb-2020)
"Not brilliant at the art of describing wine for others to understand, but how about 'good pinot with a hint of pepper'? Please yourselves. Really, really good, serve slightly chilled and let me know if you can find a better wine at this price."
Mr Andrew Sturmey (31-Aug-2019)
"Different to my normal drinking. Will certainly buy again."
Mr James Jack (03-Aug-2019)
"This wine is not what I usually (ie ever!) order, both in terms of geography and grape. But I'm so glad I did. Following the many positive reviews, I made up a case with a single bottle. And the lack of a second or third is my only complaint. And that's obviously my fault not the wine, which is a joy to drink. I have one glass left for this evening...can't wait!"
Mr Peter Minns (11-Jul-2019)
"Sour cherry (in a good way) but with residual sweetness, mint, fennel, mouthwateringly juicy but with firm tanins and acid. Highly recommend serving it slightly cool. Pinot-like and if it were French it would cost three times more."
Mr Michael Barnett (07-Jul-2019)
" "
Mr Pedro Giannullo (02-Jul-2019)
"Just drank my first bottle and what a wine for the price! Chewy, savoury, fruity... delicious. I didn't remember how much I had paid and came back on and will definitely now be ordering more. Buy it!"
Mr Michael Ward (21-Jun-2019)
"Immediately as others have remarked thought Pinot Noir, though for me a touch to sweet nearer to Cinsault, nice blackberry, prunes aroma, plums and sour cherry on the palate.
Not as enthusiastic as some on here as it faded some and is a little to sweet for me, but a well made wine and I can understand the popularity, have preferred other Greek wines on the list, 3* plus."
Mr John Wigglesworth (10-Jun-2019)
"Gorgeous, fresh, bright red wine with some tannins but clean fruit and a dry herby edge that differentiates it from other light/medium reds.
Ridiculously good value for money. "
Mr Colin Mitchell (18-Apr-2019)
"Intriguing wine - pale, smells of heady strawberries, good backbone; perfect wine to sneak into a themed blind tasting as a confounder! Reminds me of a ferociously talented teenager who just needs to outgrow that last vestige of awkwardness."
Dr Tzehow Mok (04-Apr-2019)
"Love, love, love! Understandable comparisons to Pinot Noir but I prefer to compare to Langhe Nebbiolo.
Such clean precise aromas & flavours; strawberry, raspberry, red cherry, smoke, charred toast and earth.
Simplistic in it’s purity but complex in its density. "
Mr Simon Heape (02-Apr-2019)
"Have to agree with all previous positive reviews - simply stunning as an affordable 'Pinot-esque' wine. And not cheap Pinot, but pricey Pinot! Lovely. Just lovely."
Miss Polly Wood (01-Apr-2019)
"What an absolute treat of a wine, it pours out pale in colour but follows with unexpectedly concentrated aromas of rich fruit and underlying rose-like floral notes. The intensity's matched on the palate with a refreshing acidity and firm, well integrated tannins. It's wines like these that are making me want to explore Greece with renewed fervour."
Mr Jacob Desai-Proud (30-Mar-2019)
"Apostolos Thymiopoulos has done it again. I've no idea whether 2017 was a harder or easier vintage than 2016 but this is just as good. Soaring, seductive aromas of cherry confit, saddle leather, fig and date, thrillingly light and ethereal, superb definition and wonderfully, exotically perfumed, sweet and silky. What a ridiculously good wine. And at this price, we're talking genius."
Mr Ricard Giner (28-Mar-2019)
"Lovely savoury fragrant wine. Can't believe I've taken so long to try this. Top drop."
Mr Jonathan Rippon (27-Mar-2019)
"I have been a fan of previous vintages, and bought half a case of this. First bottle opened last week, and it did not disappoint.
Closer to Pinot than Nebbiolo, certainly for this vintage, and reminiscent of all that's good about it. Lovely clean red fruit on the bouquet and palate, with some balancing acidity and just a little tannin. It compares very favourably to a good village level Burgundy and about half the price, though it's definitely different enough in taste. Saved a glass or two for a couple of days and it was still excellent, in a slightly different way - a little softer, more secondary aromas and flavours, earthy, spicier maybe.
It ticks all the boxes for me although I'm not that keen on the new label....."
Mr Mark Colman (25-Mar-2019)
"Wow - a real find, especially at this price. One of the more fragrant wines I've come across, with a dry, flavourful finish that is quite long. If this is from the young wines, I can't wait to try some of the other ones. Bought in an experimental case of wines to try, so have only the single vineyard Naoussa to go.
I'll use a word I don't often use about wine - beguiling.
A siren song for others in the range, where hopefully expectations won't be dashed. I'm going to ante up for the mixed case to try the next fix."
Mr Clive Rushen (01-Mar-2019)
"Red fruit with some complexity and more structure than I had been expecting at this price. A wine with some ageing potential. My first experience of this wine and grower but not my last. Good value."
Mr Graham Farrant (23-Feb-2019)
"The six bottles I ordered a couple of weeks ago are about to disappear. I agree very much with Mr Dodds I would add the balance of acidity, structure and length are surprising for a wine this young. Loving it. Three cheers for Apostolos."
Mr Arnab Dutt (22-Feb-2019)
"Whilst not as enthusiastic as Mssrs Dodds & Barton we thoroughly enjoyed our first bottle of Xinomavro last night, excellent value for money. I will reserve final judgement until we have tried some of the other Greek reds we have just bought to try. I have given it 3* but it's actually 3*+"
Mr Ian Day (12-Feb-2019)
"Couldn't agree more with Dr Dodd's review and with the website notes. Wonderfully friendly yet deceptively complex sums this wine up perfectly. Red and black fruits, herbs, layered flavour, ripe tannins with just the right amount of grip, lovely acidity and balance. Food friendly and really good value. A definite re-order. Served slightly chilled by the way.
"
Mr Mark Barton (05-Jan-2019)
"My, my! For years I (and I suspect I’m not alone) have hankered after an old world, fragrant, savoury, Pinot with depth, complexity, and tannic backbone yet a a price point that is not purely for oligarchs.
This gets as close to that as I suspect possible, and it’s not even Pinot!!
Pale, fragrant, good acidity, earthy with great depth of fruit, and robust but fine tannins.
Quite outstanding.
"
Dr Philip Dodd (24-Dec-2018)
2017 VINTAGE - PRESS REVIEWS
The Observer (5th May 2019)
"… a vibrant mix of
soft but tangy red berries and warm hillside herbiness. It’s a wine with
something of Burgundy and the Languedoc, but which is really its own Greek
thing. - David Williams"
The Mail on Sunday (28th Apr 2019)
"Olly's alternative
[to expensive Barolo]: The lesser known Greek grape xinomavro has similar
flavours to nebbiolo, so try [this]. - Olly Smith"
JancisRobinson.com (22nd Sep 2018)
"Most unusually, this
gorgeous Greek red has won consistently enthusiastic tasting notes for every
single vintage, from 2011 to 2017, a run of 16.5s out of 20 with 17 for the
2016. And, as you can see above, it's a great price, in that sweet spot between
dirt cheap and priced-to-position-the-brand.
What I like about this wine is its beguiling (but not simple) raspberry fruit
on the nose and front palate and then the way it finishes with a slightly
astringent note of cinders. It's not unlike Nebbiolo in build. Jeunes Vignes
clearly has quite a bit of ageing potential although it's a young(er)-vine
cuvée ...
The blend is based on vines between 10 and 18 years old (so not that young
really) from two nearby villages at, respectively, 180 and 470 m (590–1,540 ft)
elevation. Like all Thymiopoulos wines, the vines are grown biodynamically and
have organic certification.
...the packaging is thoroughly modern and not remotely cheapskate.
The 2017 is the current vintage in the UK and is stocked by [11 merchants] and
The Wine Society, who have stocked this from the very first vintage... Best
price, as usual, is at The Wine Society. - Jancis Robinson"
2016 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS
"Really liked this wine. Opened a few hours before drinking, didn't notice a great difference in taste between opening and drinking. Very smooth, definite spice, little acidity, plenty of fruit. I have no problems in recommending this wine and will be ordering some to keep for a number of years."
Mr Gordon Allan (18-Nov-2018)
"This joyous beauty is a sophisticated, ethereal, delicate wine with an intensely floral fragrance. A deliciously fresh, pure and uplifting wine. Xinomavro at the hands of Apostolos Thymiopoulos will bring Naoussa, and the Xinomavro grape variety to the world's attention. This is superb, utterly delicious."
Mr Ricard Giner (23-Oct-2018)
"Tasting it again tonight (July 2018) I think this wine is coming of age very nicely indeed.
For a Xinomavro it is lightish in colour and on the palate, nice and sinewy in feel.
Ripe fruit but savoury too with old fashioned values, tannin and astringency.
Overall superb value for a serious summer wine, and will develop interestingly for another year or two.
Very, very happy with this."
Mr Matthew Hudson (17-Jul-2018)
2016 VINTAGE - PRESS REVIEWS
JancisRobinson.com (2nd Feb 2019)
"…highly recommended… - Jancis Robinson"
Decanter (1st Dec 2018)
"Very ripe dark
berries on an inky, chewy, tannic palate. Deep and rich but with a seam of
refreshing acidity to balance. - Tina Gellie"
Decanter (1st Dec 2018)
"Pale in colour, but
overflowing with flavour. Cherries, fresh red berries, some chocolate and sweet
spice. Very appealing. - Sarah Jane Evans MW"
Decanter (1st Dec 2018)
"Delightful red,
bursting with blackberry and stewed black plum fruit, with high plum-skin acid,
Lively and appetising. - Oz Clarke"
Chase Magazine (1st Nov 2018)
"From the xinomavro
grape, it is light, juicy ideal for summer drinking. - David Clay"
The Mail on Sunday (21st Oct 2018)
"Organic Greek red, a
real find that's as light as pinot, butch as Barolo. - Olly Smith"
The Sunday Times (21st Oct 2018)
"Greek wines are a
revelation. This excellent medium-bodied red from the xinomavro grape appeals
immediately, with notes of plum and wild strawberry. Silky and smooth on the
palate, it could be lightly chilled to enjoy as an aperitif. - Will Lyons"
The Observer (27th May 2018)
"… made in a
succulent, light, juicy, vividly red-fruited style for thirst-quenching sipping
with charcuterie. - David Williams"
2015 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS
"My wife and I enjoy this wine, thought it might be worth looking at some of the less well known regions so started to look at Greek wine. Worth trying and worth it at the current price - will be ordering some more."
Mr David Mitchell (06-Feb-2018)
"For the money I am very impressed. It has the light tanins and floral nose of a pinot but the richness of a nebbiolo(/barolo). The only bad thing I could say is it is a little simple at the end, with all the impression up front."
Mr Brendan Beal (05-Feb-2018)
"Light, nicely acidic, velvety and fragrant - a dead ringer for good village barolo, but at half the price."
Mr Tony Strong (21-Oct-2017)
"Must disagree with the previous reviewer. Lots of interesting aromatics in this wine, a lighter style of Naoussa. Shows how personal taste is. I do think the wine will taste better with another year in bottle.
"
Mr Nick Foster (18-Feb-2017)
"Tasted in November 2016 - I found this wine to be underwhelming at this price level. Nevertheless It had a bright mid red appearance and a clean red berry nose. A mid weight wine with a fruity entry with plum / damson notes and decent length"
Mr David Chittleborough (20-Jan-2017)
2013 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS
"Described as a great summer red, we gave in to temptation and found it also went down well in winter with some nice bowls of warming stew. It did divide opinion, with one friend describing the taste as a bit 'angry' (maybe keeping it for a while longer might soften it for his palate), but the rest of us enjoyed the smooth, easy-drinking nature and fruity flavours of the wine. Will definitely be buying more to try in the summer, and also now keen to try out a bottle or two of this wine's elder sibling from the not so 'jeunes vignes'."
Mr Addam Merali-Hosiene (29-Dec-2015)
"Have drunk much Naoussa in Greece over the years, though produced by commercial concerns such as Boutari and Tsantalis - by no means to be despised, not least because their quality controls are excellent. Impressions 'en site': very long-lived wine, almost indestructible (surviving warm conditions in tavernas), holding for hours after opening, rich, sinewy, satisfying. This? In ideal sense, might be better than commercial concerns. In practice, one bottle clearly corked, clear bottle variation. No doubt many variables here - including transportation hazards - but I can't recommend this wine."
Professor John L Moles (02-Jul-2015)
2013 VINTAGE - PRESS REVIEWS
The Independent (6th Feb 2016)
"Pinot noir-like with
berry-scented fragrance, while a robust texture and damsony acidity cry out to
be washed down with game and roasted root vegetables. - Anthony Rose"
JancisRobinson.com (28th Oct 2015)
"I included this wine
in my variety tasting at the London Greek Wine Festival - not because it is
really classic Náoussa as it is lighter and juicier than most classic wines but
because it is deliciously aromatic and shows a more playful side of the Xinomavro
variety - scented with red fruits - and lively. Refreshing and easy to drink
already, but not at all one-dimensional. 16.5/20 Jancis Robinson"
The Mail on Sunday (26th Jul 2015)
"…a serious and
structured red that will evolve beautifully over the next five to seven years. - Olly Smith"
The Observer (5th Jul 2015)
"… adds a bit of dried
herb, spice and grit to the succulent mix.- David Williams"
BBC Good Food Magazine (10th Jan 2015)
"To match James Martin's steak with fries and béarnaise
sauce; 'Steak is all about a good red Bordeaux. However Bearnaise sauce,
with its tarragon and vinegar, demands a lighter wine. So for something
different, pick [this wine]. From Northern Greece, this is a delicate red with
deep plum notes.' - Sarah Jane Evans"