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Alpha Estate Xinomavro Reserve Old Vines Ecosystem - Barba Yannis 2019 750ml

size
750ml
country
Greece
region
Macedonia
WA
93
Additional vintages
2019 2018 2017
WA
93
Rated 93 by Wine Advocate
The 2019 Xinomavro Ecosystem Reserve Vielles Vignes Barba Yannis Single Block was aged for 24 months in new French barriques and comes in at 14.3% alcohol. The "old vines" references ungrafted bush vines from 1919. In its typically refined style, this shows moderate tannins for support, silky texture and a precise finish. It is always elegant. What it lacks in its youth is the character that expresses the grape better, and that today is due to the new wood that the winery sometimes likes a little too much. Despite how approachable this is, the quality of the fruit and the prominence of the wood make it necessary to age for a few years. Many will like it fine just now, but giving it some time to develop and pull in the wood will be helpful. This is a vintage with some potential. In different styles and vintage conditions, I've liked many about the same given different pros and cons. Often, the question there is how it is going to age and rise above the wood. This seems to have a good chance of doing just that, but it may also have a ceiling. This is one I'd bet on. ... More details
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Alpha Estate Xinomavro Reserve Old Vines Ecosystem - Barba Yannis 2019 750ml

SKU 908087
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Professional Ratings
WA
93
WA
93
Rated 93 by Wine Advocate
The 2019 Xinomavro Ecosystem Reserve Vielles Vignes Barba Yannis Single Block was aged for 24 months in new French barriques and comes in at 14.3% alcohol. The "old vines" references ungrafted bush vines from 1919. In its typically refined style, this shows moderate tannins for support, silky texture and a precise finish. It is always elegant. What it lacks in its youth is the character that expresses the grape better, and that today is due to the new wood that the winery sometimes likes a little too much. Despite how approachable this is, the quality of the fruit and the prominence of the wood make it necessary to age for a few years. Many will like it fine just now, but giving it some time to develop and pull in the wood will be helpful. This is a vintage with some potential. In different styles and vintage conditions, I've liked many about the same given different pros and cons. Often, the question there is how it is going to age and rise above the wood. This seems to have a good chance of doing just that, but it may also have a ceiling. This is one I'd bet on.
Winery
100% Xinomavro from 88-year-old vines planted en gobelet in sand at 660m altitude. Destemmed and fermented after cold soak in tank. 18-24 months elevage in French barrels.
Product Details
size
750ml
country
Greece
region
Macedonia
Additional vintages
2019 2018 2017
Overview
Rated 93 - The 2019 Xinomavro Ecosystem Reserve Vielles Vignes Barba Yannis Single Block was aged for 24 months in new French barriques and comes in at 14.3% alcohol. The "old vines" references ungrafted bush vines from 1919. In its typically refined style, this shows moderate tannins for support, silky texture and a precise finish. It is always elegant. What it lacks in its youth is the character that expresses the grape better, and that today is due to the new wood that the winery sometimes likes a little too much. Despite how approachable this is, the quality of the fruit and the prominence of the wood make it necessary to age for a few years. Many will like it fine just now, but giving it some time to develop and pull in the wood will be helpful. This is a vintage with some potential. In different styles and vintage conditions, I've liked many about the same given different pros and cons. Often, the question there is how it is going to age and rise above the wood. This seems to have a good chance of doing just that, but it may also have a ceiling. This is one I'd bet on.
green grapes

Varietal: Xinomavro

Xinomavro is the predominant grape varietal of Macedonia, although it is also grown in many parts of Greece where the climatic conditions are suitable for this particular fruit. The names translates as 'acid black', which gives some clue as to the nature of this varietal. The grapes are renowned for their high tannin content, which is a result of the thick and blue-black skins found on the fruit. This particular characteristic results in a superb aging potential in wines made from the Xinomavro varietal, as time spent in barrels softens these strong, astringent tannins and allows the full range of their flavors to come through in the wine. Most commonly, Xinomavro grapes are associated with aromas of red gooseberry, spices, olives and dried fruit, such as dried tomato.
fields

Country: Greece

As one of the oldest wine producing countries in the world, Greece has millenia of experience and expertise when it comes to viticulture, and has developed a set of flavors and characteristics which are found nowhere else on earth. The ancient Greeks revered and deified wine, and were the first true innovators in the history of wine, adding everything from seawater to honey and spices in order to find exciting new taste combinations and aromas. Today, Greek wines are just as varied, although far more refined and sophisticated than their ancient counterparts. The practice of enhancing Greek wines with aromatic substances never left the country, though, as can be seen in the popular Retsina wines, which use pine resin to provide their unique taste and aroma combinations. There is far more to Greek wine than merely Retsina, however, and the vast variety on offer is a testament to the expertise of Greek wineries making the most of the wonderful climate, terrain and grape varietals they work with.
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More Details
Winery Alpha Estate
green grapes

Varietal: Xinomavro

Xinomavro is the predominant grape varietal of Macedonia, although it is also grown in many parts of Greece where the climatic conditions are suitable for this particular fruit. The names translates as 'acid black', which gives some clue as to the nature of this varietal. The grapes are renowned for their high tannin content, which is a result of the thick and blue-black skins found on the fruit. This particular characteristic results in a superb aging potential in wines made from the Xinomavro varietal, as time spent in barrels softens these strong, astringent tannins and allows the full range of their flavors to come through in the wine. Most commonly, Xinomavro grapes are associated with aromas of red gooseberry, spices, olives and dried fruit, such as dried tomato.
fields

Country: Greece

As one of the oldest wine producing countries in the world, Greece has millenia of experience and expertise when it comes to viticulture, and has developed a set of flavors and characteristics which are found nowhere else on earth. The ancient Greeks revered and deified wine, and were the first true innovators in the history of wine, adding everything from seawater to honey and spices in order to find exciting new taste combinations and aromas. Today, Greek wines are just as varied, although far more refined and sophisticated than their ancient counterparts. The practice of enhancing Greek wines with aromatic substances never left the country, though, as can be seen in the popular Retsina wines, which use pine resin to provide their unique taste and aroma combinations. There is far more to Greek wine than merely Retsina, however, and the vast variety on offer is a testament to the expertise of Greek wineries making the most of the wonderful climate, terrain and grape varietals they work with.