Kir Yianni Ramnista Xinomavro Naoussa – 2015

Xinomavro is a red grape which many describe as “the Greek Nebbiolo”. It has pale colour and very firm tannins and acidity, and as it gets older it develops mellow, autumnal fruit flavours. When young it has a touch more power and fruit concentration than Nebbiolo however. This wine won the wine of the year in the Greek Wine Challenge 2019 and has been highly rated by the Wine Advocate as follows:- “The 2015 Ramnista is the winery’s classic Xinomavro, aged for 18 months in 30% new French oak. It comes in at 13% alcohol. When last seen, it was a little tight with sharp edges—to some extent, that’s the style. Let’s check in. This has fleshed out nicely, seeming rounder and softer in terms of texture—but there is still lots of power hiding underneath. It pops up to the foreground pretty promptly. Overall, this is a bit more approachable, but that doesn’t mean it’s ready. It really needs a couple of more years to become more expressive and better balanced. In other words, continue on as originally directed. Everything looks good.” 91/100pts The Wine Advocate