Description
Rising Star Award 2022, Decanter Magazine “Apostolos Thymiopoulos, based in Naoussa in Macedonia, northern Greece, is far more than a fabulously talented winemaker. He has become the ambassador for Greece’s new wines and winemakers, taking Greece beyond the southern Mediterranean and establishing it on international markets. Further, he has done this through his transformation of Xinomavro, a red grape likely unfamiliar to most, and seen as overwhelmingly tannic by many of those who have come across it. Thymiopoulos has propelled the hitherto relatively obscure region of Naoussa and its formerly unloved grape variety to success in global markets; it’s an exceptional achievement.” Sarah Jane Evans – Decanter
The Thymiopoulos family has been in agriculture and grape-growing in the village of Trilofos for generations. Apostolos Thymiopoulos was the first to vinify the family vineyards while studying oenology.
The Thymiopoulos vineyards are located in Trilofos, a village on the foothills of Vermio mountain, a place in perfect harmony with nature, offering wines that reflect their origin. All the vineyards are farmed organically, following biodynamic practices selected after careful assessment of their impact on the vine. These methods allow them to preserve biodiversity in the vineyards.
Apostolos Thymiopoulos’ brilliant Xinomavros are among Greece’s most renowned wines. He has mastered the grape variety like nobody else. Apostolos devotes himself exclusively to xinomavro, the emblematic variety of the Naoussa region, expressing “terroir” as well as the craftsmanship of the “vigneron”.
Xinomavro doesn’t leave room for mistake, either in the vineyard, or in the winery. Vinified according to the rules of the art, xinomavro yields acid, tannic yet ethereal, long lived wines with a distinctive aromatic profile. Thymiopoulos offers different expressions of the xinomavro variety, all vinified with absolute respect to the grape. Each wine produced reflects the specificity of the parcel it originates from.
About this wine: 100% Xinomavro. From several parcels around the village of Fytia. 26 years-old, non-irrigated and certified organic vines, grown at 450-650 metres altitude, in schist and granite soils. The Naoussa region has a warm continental climate, tempered by the cooling winds coming either from Vermio mountain or from the sea. Lower temperatures linked to high altitude, and big diurnal range during ripening season offer freshness and elegance to the wines. Grapes are macerated for 18 days with a small percentage being whole cluster, fermented with indigenous yeasts for 1 to 3 months. Matured for 8 months in French oak vats. 13% alc.
This is an ethereal, aromatic xinomavro packed with cherry and strawberry notes alongside refreshing acidity, firm tannins and savoury cedar thanks to 8 months in French oak vats.
Review for 2020 – 93 points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front “A slinky, pure feeling red of lighter weight appeal, cinching, grippy, minerally tannin, dried herb accents, a splash of tomato juice and a juicy wash of pleasing, sour black cherry and just ripe mulberry fruit characters. It’s thirst-quenching in a way, has brightness writ large. Tannins are quality and persistent, the wine vibrant and expressive in personality and drinkability is right up there. This is well worth a look.”
RRP $45 Our Special Price $37.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine.
