The 2018 XinomavRaw ($30) is from Oenops, aged in amphorae and sort of a natural wine concept. This is a perfect food pairing, elegant, structured and fruity, but always supported by structure. Xinomavro means "sour black" or "acid black," and this tense red shows you why. There is tannic pop too. This has a long way to go and it takes over the palate. You could do a lot worse and spend a lot more. #wine #winesofgreece #xinomavro

This bottling has been a typical favorite. This bottle shows serious reductive notes, struck match, flint, etc. It also shows you what a quandary this type of presentation can create. On the first day open, this was pretty much undrinkable. The next day saw about 80% of it blow off. Now I could focus on the acidity, the crispness and the fruit. I wonder if everyone would be patient, especially if this were encountered in a restaurant. #wine #winesofgreece #robola

This 2011, all Assyrtiko, is a maturing Santorini that is holding beautifully. It has a crisp edge, long finish and clean nose. It is reasonably deep and perfectly positioned as a food pairing.It handles the wood (20% of the juice for only 6 months) perfectly. I wasn't initially so sure how this would age, but it looks now like it will easily last through the decade. It has certainly improved.Maybe it's a 20-year wine or more.More importantly, it's a beauty. #Wine #winesofgreece @estate_argyros

Okay, have you had enough Portuguese wines lately? No I didn't think so. Still it is summer and fresh whites from Greece are always a good idea. They kick ass too. Crisp, elegant and a bit tense, this is holding beautifully. It is in a very good place, but no rush. Lovely.
#wine #winesofgreece @vassaltisvineyards

This is so fresh today, it is one of the best older, regular Sigalas versions I've seen in awhile. There is just a hint or two of maturity, but it is otherwise laid back, gentle and harmonious. #winesofgreece @domainesigalas #wine

Skouras, island producers and more...My final Greece report at robertparker.com That Labyrinth is great, but ouch ($217) #wine

#winesofgreece

@pleasethepalate Well, it used to be underrated and scorned. Not sure that's as true these days when lots of cult Chateauneufs have arisen, but sure, it isn't as popular. I have a complicated relationship with the grape: love the aromas and smells and flavor. But it seems to generate a lot of high-alcohol, jammy wines, particularly at the level of the cults. Can't drink stuff like that any more. #winesofgreece

In Amyndeon a few years back, I found Alpha Estate, of course, winemaker Angelos Iatridis and lots and lots of bottle sizes. It seemed to be a good subject for a picture. #winesofgreece #amyndeon

The red label ($217) is a solera that contains some of the 2019 Megas Oenos juice ($43). This is at a point where they have more similarity these days than they used to in new releases. The older soleras were more complex and earthier. This one is pretty young. I still say Labyrinth is the better wine, but given the increasing price differential, it sure isn't the better deal.
#wine #wineadvocate #robertparker #winesofgreece

From Santo Wines, this is in perfect shape and modestly improved. You always wonder how the basic Assyrtiko will age. ($19 on release, although that has escalated.) This isn't even close to being done. Of course there was that bright green cork.
#wine #winesofgreece #robertparker #wineadvocate

This 2012 Areti white, all Assyrtiko from Biblia Chora, has in most respects held brilliantly. Certainly, better than I thought it could. But that reductive nuance that I originally noted is even worse. Well, you could try pouring off a little, recorking it and drinking it the next day. The aeration will help. But it is always a dilemma as to how to rate a flawed wine that has so many good things going on.
#winesofgreece @ktimabibliachora #wineadvocate #robertparker

Alpha Estate is one of my favorite Greek wineries. This group (reviews now live at my website) is another example of why. The wines have polish and freshness. When they try something new, they plug away at it and eventually get it right. They know what they are doing and they are terroir-specific. #wine #winesofgreece #robertparker #wineadvocate @alphaestate

When the new Alphas come in, I always like to pull an occasional older bottle for comparison. This one isn't very old compared to some others, but it shows the benefits of giving it a couple of years extra in the bottle. How are they holding up? Are they developing nicely?

Betcha by golly, wow.

#wineadvocate #robertparker #winesofgreece @alpha_estate

@jacopo_mazzeo Very nice. There are indeed some important challenges. Santorini volume has taken some big hits too in recent vintages. Some vintages have had very little production, causing prices to skyrocket. I love the wines, but I had to comment in an article that taking your $38 and 93 point wine and making the price $65 didn't necessarily bode well for success. The score doesn't go up with the price. 😀 In fact, you could make an argument that top Santorini was underpriced anyway given quantities and incredibly old vines, but to many it is still just another Greek white. Unfair, but life is unfair. #wine #winesofgreece

Why is the top Alpha Estate Sauvignon so good? This isn't even their greatest vintage But it is so beautifully balanced, so fresh and has so much character.... It will be easy to drink too much. 🤪 $33
#winesofgreece #sauvignonblanc

Why is the top Alpha Estate Sauvignon so good? This isn't even their greatest vintage But it is so beautifully balanced, so fresh and has so much character.... It will be easy to drink too much. 🤪 $33
#winesofgreece #sauvignonblanc

Why is the top Alpha Estate Sauvignon so good? This isn't even their greatest vintage But it is so beautifully balanced, so fresh and has so much character.... It will be easy to drink too much. 🤪
#winesofgreece #sauvignonblanc

@micchega I tend to like whites with personality, and that's what I think your post references too.

Now you need to explore some Greeks. They have what you're looking for. Try some Assyrtiko from Santorini. That has bumped up in price from good producers of late. It's a great grape with the depth and power, but when ripe, more personality than Chardonnay. Most will be unoaked (not all). And then there's Moschofilero from Mantinia in Greece--so tasty, crisp and aromatic from this high appellation. Top producers include Skouras or Tselepos, Semeli and others. Or, Malagousia. Even more aromatic and flavorful than Moscho, but not as crisp, as a rule. I don't think the Greeks are as consistent with Malagousia, but yum.

Douro whites tend not to have as much personality, but there are some styles. Dry Moscatel from Douro, like Vallado's Prima, is a great choice for personality, and not expensive ($25). Or, move to Vinho Verde and try some Alvarinho and Loureiro. #wine #winesofgreece

Sigalas is known for an exercise in terroir with the 7 Villages collection (Assyrtiko). There are now only six named villages in 2021, the seventh bottle mysteriously designated "Epta," or "Seven." The idea there is to pick the village that the winery thought was the best performer in a particular vintage and make it the "7" representative. Then, says the importer, while the winery still makes "a limited 7-pack of all of the villages," that Epta bottling will be "available both in the diverse 7-pack with one of each and as a 6-pack of that single village." The Epta bottling, which is from Fira this year, produces about 1,200 bottles while the other 7 Villages produces about 200 to 300 bottles each. The Epta package is easier to sell, the importer says. That's not a surprise, given that the various individual villages often differ in quality and style. They won't all appeal to every consumer equally. #wine #winesofgreece

Sigalas is known for an exercise in terroir with the 7 villages collection. There are now only six named villages in 2021, the seventh bottle mysteriously designated "Epta," or "Seven." The idea there is to pick the village that the winery thought was the best performer in a particular vintage and make it the "7" representative. Then, says the importer, while the winery still makes "a limited 7-pack of all of the villages," that Epta bottling will be "available both in the diverse 7-pack with one of each and as a 6-pack of that single village." The Epta bottling, which is from Fira this year, produces about 1,200 bottles while the other 7 Villages produces about 200 to 300 bottles each. The Epta package is easier to sell, the importer says. That's not a surprise, given that the various individual villages often differ in quality and style. They won't all appeal to every consumer equally. #wine #winesofgreece