Naoussa is regarded as one of Greece’s two most important red wine regions, alongside Nemea. It is a verdant mountainous region in Greek Macedonia, where the climate is as much continental as it is Mediterranean. The winters are cold and often severe, and the summers warm to hot. The vineyards are mostly planted between 150m to 350m which helps moderate the summer heat
The grape synonymous with the region is Xinomavro, which translates to “acid black”; a reference to the black skins of the grape and elevated acidity of the wines. The wines themselves are often relatively pale in colour, with a brickish tint -in many ways similar to Nebbiolo, with fine grippy tannins, perfumed aromas of roses, game and typically hints of tomato and olive. These are great food wines of structure and elegance, and with a great potential for ageing
The Taralas family have had an important role to play in Greek wine production, establishing a vine nursery in the late 1920s, which ws one of the only sources of grafted vines and thus instrumental in driving the recovery of the Greek vineyards from the Phylloxera outbreak of 1935.
Today Christos Taralas runs this 10 hectare organic estate in Naoussa, populated with low yielding 40 year old Xinomavro vines located in the foothills of eastern Vermio at an altitude of 300 metres, above sea level. The yield is about 7000 kg per hectare and organic sprays such as zeolite, dolomite and other minerals, as well as mixtures of nettle and other wild herbs and plants are used.
Classic red vinification, with the whole bunches intact in the fermentation tank, cold settling for 4-5 days at 10°C, then fermentation with native yeasts at 22°C for 14-18 days, then pressing and transfer with the fine lees for maturation for 2 years in second-use barrels.
A perfumed nose of raspberry, rose petals, black pepper, game and spices with a hint of typical sun-dried tomato notes. Medium-bodied with fresh acidity, and compact ripe yet grippy tannins. Great length, complexity and character for the price. A fantastic match for game, braised red meats and strong cheeses. Will age well
