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. A blend of higher altitude parcels around the village of Fytia and the warmer, lower elevation parcels adjacent to the village of Trilofos. Vines are young and non-irrigated. Grown on schist, granite and limestone. Naoussa’s region warm continental climate with moderate rainfall throughout the year. Cooling winds from Vermio mountain are crucial for the quality of the grapes. Grapes are hand-picked, 75% destemmed, macerated for 12-15 days and fermented in stainless steel tanks for 3 months and 8 months in concrete tanks.
Review for 2021 – 93 points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front “.. Medium-bodied, classic dried herb, tomato paste, sappy red fruits, raspberry, a little earthy with it. Silty tannin, rhubarb and spice, kind of autumnal too, fleshy and unforced feel, some orange peel, liquorice, and a long and savoury finish. So much character and interest. Pinot-like in a way, and wonderful to drink. I love it.”
Review for 2020 – 94 Points, Decanter “It’s incredible value, and a brilliant introduction to the Xinomavro grape. Juicy, approachable and fresh, serve it lightly chilled and enjoy the cranberry, cherry and tomato leaf flavours. There’s no oak here (it’s aged in a mix of stainless steel and concrete), just an uncomplicated, joyful fruit purity. Also try the ‘Alta’ Xinomavro from the same talented producer; this does see some oak and has a more leathery and tomato profile.”
RRP $38 Our Special Price $30.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine
