2/15/2017 - KostaKats wrote:

Dark ruby. Plums, dusty cherries, sharp blackberries, later tobacco, olive jam and tomato compote, vanilla and cinnamon edge. Sweet entry, cherries, sour cherries, tomato compote, medium body, dusty tannins and bright refreshing acidity. Very vey nice.

2/11/2017 - KostaKats Likes this wine:

An agiorgitiko blend with Cabernet Sauvignon. Although I believe Syrah makes a better partner than Cabernet to Agiorgitiko there are some that are a cut above the usual blends (Megas Oenos of Skouras being one of them). This comes from one of Greece's premier Cabernet producers in Ilia, Western Greece. Tight nose on opening but soon opens out to a lovely array of sour cherries, blackcurrants, violets, light tobacco and lavender on the background. Medium body,velvety smooth and refreshing acidity, good length, sharp red cherries on the midpalate and very nice tannins. Lovely.

2/11/2017 - KostaKats wrote:

Among my favourite Greek Syrahs. Deep colour and a tight nose that opened out to earth, leather, chocolate and blueberries and blackberries. More savoury than usual and neither did it have the florality of other vintages. Medium body again more savoury chocolate than fruit of previous years but still enjoyable with good acidity and tannins. Crying out for a steak. Still prefer this over the estate's standard Syrah and the overpriced, overxtracted jammy Collection.

1/17/2017 - KostaKats wrote:

Ruby with a garnet rim. Red currants and varietal tomatoes and olives very present on the initial aromas. Less fruit than to be expected in such a young Xin but still a pleasure. The nose is reflected on the palate. Medium minus body with developed tannins and medium plus acidity. Slight rustic feel but still enjoyable.

1/8/2017 - KostaKats Likes this wine:

Deep ruby, dark, brooding. Closed nose upon opening, that slowly reveals pure red fruits, black cherries, violets, raspberries a hint of strawberry jam, later some granite, ink and a hint of mushrooms. Less floral than many Fleuries this is still a good showing for a great vintage for Cru Beaujolais. Velvet entry, medium to light red fruit purity on the palate too. Loses a bit on the mid palate but a good length. Melted tannins and mediu acidity. This is great with either roast chicken or cold cuts and a cheese platter.

12/22/2016 - KostaKats Likes this wine:

Another good showing from the 2009 vintage. Ruby red. Bright red fruits raspberries and cherries against a granite background. Nose reflected on the palate with a liquorice streak to go with the fruit and minerals. Medium body and medium plus acidity. Straight no bullshit Cru Beaujolais. Very food friendly.

12/27/2016 - KostaKats Likes this wine:

Ruby red. A nose that screams Pinot, sous Bois, Earth, plums, raspberries, strawberries and a light cinnamon dusting. Medium body with more velvet than silky mouthfeel. Fruit purity on the palate with a sour cherry midpalate. Medium plus acidity and fine tannins. At peak.

12/11/2016 - KostaKats wrote:

Ruby red with a definite pinot nose, raspberry sour cherry, sous Bois and slight earthy touch. Medium bodied, medium acidity with very light tannins. A bit light and one dimensional but enjoyable nonetheless.

12/8/2016 - KostaKats Likes this wine:

This is the third Clos De L'Echo I've had and it sure is consistent joy. Deep ruby with a violet rim. Exuberant nose of blackberry, violets, capsicum, tobacco, herbal/ grassy with a hint of chalk. Velvet smooth entry with medium body, rich red fruits on the palate with an edge of tobacco, medium plus acidity and fine tannins. Chinon, enough said.

12/5/2016 - KostaKats Likes this wine:

Ruby red. Laurel, garrigue, plums, sweet sour cherries, cinnamon and slight licorice. Medium body, faded tannins and fading fruit. Would love to see not just more of this variety in dry form but more vintages of this wine too.

7/4/2016 - KostaKats wrote:

Gold colour. Initially bright nose of varietal roses and lychees followed by sweet spice followed by unrepentant peaches. Full bodied, oily feel with a slight carbonic prickle. Less fruity than the nose promises, bright acidity that makes this disjointed. Not as good as previous years. I noticed that this has 10% Xinomavro in the mix which may have caused this disconnect. Much prefer Melissopetra from Tselepos...

6/18/2016 - KostaKats Likes this wine:

Wonderful Provençal rose. Typical salmon colour. Was worried about this one as it had a few years on it but no to worry. Bright nose of fresh strawberries, slight peach but big ripe citrus, lemons and especially oranges. Crisp yet mouth filling on the palate with more citrus. Slight herbal edge but rich fruit through the finish. Lovely.

6/11/2016 - KostaKats Likes this wine:

Deep ruby with a ruby rim. Wonderful sweet black fruits emerge upon opening. Blueberries, prunes, black cherries against a background of garrigue herbs and stewed strawberries. Almost jammy. Very smooth entry with sweet blueberries, blackberries and stewed strawberries on the palate. Integrated tannins, rich fruit and persistent acidity. As pleasant as some manouche Jazz on a summer afternoon.

6/11/2016 - KostaKats Likes this wine:

Dark ruby with a ruby rim. Initial reduction that blows off after a while. The usual barnyard background that is common in this winery's reds. The nose is full of black cherries, plums, garrigue notes and later reveals some prunes and chocolate. Medium persistent acidity, melted smooth tannins with good but fading fruit.

5/15/2016 - KostaKats Likes this wine:

Deep ruby. Upon opening the nose is exuberant, dark cherries, chocolate, oaky vanilla and a streak of ink. The platter reflects the nose even with the ink. Rich fruit, medium velvety tannins and medium plus acidity. A very nice expression of the grape that is the home grape of the Nemea region. Very nice.

5/7/2016 - KostaKats Likes this wine:

Deep ruby. A nose full of sweet tomato compote, prunes, blackberries and a liquorice edge. With more air varietal tomatoes and olives reveal themselves in the background. Medium body with a sweet entry of dark berries, cherries, medium plus drying tannins and bright juicy acidity balanced by rich sweet fruit. Good with lamb casserole.

5/7/2016 - KostaKats Likes this wine:

Deep lemon with green tints. Upon opening you get a hit of smoke followed by a blast of ripe grapefruit, oaky vanilla, roast hazelnuts which all lessen with air. Then the wonderful aroma of ripe starkin apples, sun blasted rocks, salty breeze and a hint of herbs. Full bodied, starkin apples, grapefruit compote, lemon curd flavours cover the palate and there is a rich citrus and saline backbone filling out the edges. Full of flavour and razor sharp acidity to deal with any but the most delicate seafood. Also one of the few wines that will effortlessly match mageiritsa or Greek Easter offal soup.

5/7/2016 - KostaKats wrote:

Deep ruby. Very Pinot like nose in that there are red fruits, Earth and leafy notes and this is reflected on the palate. Very slight cork taint that blows off with time. Medium body light tannins and medium acidity. Over the hill now but definitely a good everyday wine

4/30/2016 - KostaKats Likes this wine:

This is fast becoming a favourite everyday rose of mine. An odd colour neither pink or onion skin like so many Greek roses nor pale orange like a Provençal roses - which appears to be the new fad for many Greek wineries nowadays. Orange / apricot colour. Nice easy nose of fresh strawberries, apricots and ripe oranges. Medium body and acidity, good fruit and as Yianni says a blend of tannins and slight sweetness. May have to stock up for summer.

4/30/2016 - KostaKats wrote:

Light lemon colour. Upon opening a lovely vibrant nose of tropical fruits such as pineapple and mango, later giving way to grapefruit and a hint of orange blossom and basil. Medium + body, fatty and mouth coating. A swell as a carbonic prickle that never entirely leaves. The palate unfortunately doesn't live up to the promise of the bouquet although to be fair it has rich citrus fruit, good mouthwatering acidity and good length. Tempted to lay some down for a few years

1/5/2016 - KostaKats Likes this wine:

Bright ruby with a garnet rim. Needed a bit of air to blow away the cobwebs. The same old plums, cherries, meat broth and Earth as per my previous tasting. Good balanced palate with medium acidity, smooth powdery medium tannins and a medium body. Very smooth but lacking in complexity. Hoping the 2007 will be more complex.

1/1/2016 - KostaKats Likes this wine:

My first Swiss Pinot, hell its my first Swiss wine period. Bright ruby red colour and then a nose that screams pinosity. It's all here the bright red fruit, raspberries, strawberries against a sous Bois background with a hint of crushed red cherries and earth. Medium body, bright fruit and smooth tannins. A lovely raspberry midpalate washed down with a cranberry finish and lively acidity. A damn sight more fun than the Drouhin Vosne Romanee I had recently...

12/27/2015 - KostaKats Likes this wine:

Ruby with a garnet edge. Fleurie is a favourite of mine and until recently unavailable in Greece. As far as I know Lidl was the first to stock some but now Cellier has brought some in. In any event this was one bought on my trips abroad. Typical florality on nose and pallet. Medium light body, melted tannins at 5 years old but gorgeous crisp red fruits and graphite streak complete this. For value for money and consistency Beaujolais beats the rest of Burgundy hands down.

12/25/2015 - KostaKats Likes this wine:

As the Brits say, nothing to write home about but worked very well with a Cretan Christmas lunch with lots of varied foods such as country roast chicken, turmeric roast potatoes, spinach pie, pork chops, boiled greens. Deep garnet, with a fresh fruity nose with no heat despite the 14.5% abv. Smooth velvet mouthfeel, full bodied, good tannins, fruit and acidity. Lacking in complexity and length.

12/25/2015 - KostaKats wrote:

Dark almost black. Marvellous nose of blackberries, raisins, figs, prunes, chocolate, then hints of herbaceousness such as laurel and tobacco as well as ripe sweet oranges. Full body bordering on treacle consistency. Palate reflecting the nose with thankfully some citrusy acidity to cut through the rich full weighty sweetness. The thing I love with this wine is the bitterness on the finish which lifts this above many other sweet mavrodaphnes.

12/15/2015 - KostaKats Likes this wine:

Opened on the eve of my birthday. Dark ruby with a purple rim. Dark brooding nose like a storm about to break. Black fruits primarily ripe blackberries, prunes and black cherry compote against a bacon, earthy background with a hint of leather. Medium body velvety mouthfeel with black fruits on the palate too. Good rich fruit yet not jammy. Smooth velvet tannins and generous acidity. Great match for mixed grilled meats. At its peak.

12/15/2015 - KostaKats Likes this wine:

Got a case of this some Christmases ago from a shipowner client. Loved it then. Dark ruby with a garnet rim. Plums and stewed strawberries with a hint of leather, garrigue and Earth on the nose. Medium body, with dark fruity palate rounded out by smooth tannins and good acidity. Very good wi e that sure beats many more expensive CDRs.

12/8/2015 - KostaKats wrote:

Garnet with a red brick rim. Faded nose but still had the Margaux flowers (dried roses and carnations), cassis and black cherries, later leather, Earth and broth. Unfortunately the beginnings of cork taint too. Fading fruit on the palate but good trait tannins and acidity to balance.

12/2/2014 - KostaKats Likes this wine:

Deep red bordering on purple. Lovely nose of stewed strawberries and raspberries followed by bacon, garrigue herbs, figs and blackberries against an earthy background with notes of leather. Medium body, fruit, acidity and melted tannins. Finish could have been longer but I'm not complaining...

1/12/2014 - KostaKats Likes this wine:

Ruby-garnet. Terracotta rim. Plums, figs, cherries, hints of chocolate & coffee. Later prunes. Medium bodied, integrated velvety smooth tannins. Sour cherry medium palate, medium acidity. Smooth lingering finish.

1/5/2014 - KostaKats Likes this wine:

Deep ruby bordering on purple. Closed nose initially. Blackberries, cassis, plums and of course those Margaux flowers, roses and violets. Maybe it's Xmas but I could swear I detected cranberries and pomegranates. Tight tannins, medium + acidity and medium body. Good dark fruit but this has a few years ahead of it as it's still tightly wound up.

1/5/2014 - KostaKats wrote:

Dark ruby. Stewed strawberry & raspberry notes, bordering on compote. Later more noticeable plums, figs against an inky, earthy garrigue background. Full bodied, velvety mouthfeel with notes of licorice, vanilla & cinnamon on a creamy palate. Integrated yet still grainy tannins and medium acidity round out the fruit of this average yet very drinkable CDP.

12/26/2013 - KostaKats Likes this wine:

This has more pinosity in my mind than the Nuits Saints George I drank the day before. Ruby ruby ruby as the Kaiser Chiefs sing. Raspberries, strawberries, & earthy sous bois. Light bodied, spicy delicate fruit, mellow tannins and persistent acidity. Not many years ahead of it but great drinking now. As the Beach Boys say fun fun fun... A little heat on the backend mars the overall greatness.

12/25/2013 - KostaKats wrote:

Deep ruby. Typical pinot red fruits on the nose, less leafy and earthy than most Burgundies. Fruitier palate than nose would suggest. Medium-light body, smooth tannins playing with the raspberry midpalate. Good length and medium+ acidity.

12/25/2013 - KostaKats Likes this wine:

Best vintage yet, not yet surpassed by other Ovilos's I have tried. Light golden, orange zest, honeycomb, peach, apples, oaky vanilla and an edge of tropical fruit & stony minerality. Medium+ bodied, palate mirrors the nose, good rich fruit, complex with good oak. I am looking forward to the 2012...

12/20/2013 - KostaKats wrote:

Light golden. Very ripe citrusy nose then melons, mangoes to balance the rich oaky vanilla. Full bodied, oily, rich citrus, melon with good acidity to balance.

12/21/2013 - KostaKats Likes this wine:

Deep lemon. Glue, sweet spice, orange zest, turkish delight, apricots, peaches in syrup, citrus jam play with my nose. Full bodied, rich ripe fruit on the palate, the cloying balanced by great persistent acidity and a citrusy midpalate. Long finish marred by some heat on the backend.

12/21/2013 - KostaKats wrote:

Dark ruby. Again like the Alpha Malagouzia correct but not special. Sharp black & red fruits on nose & palate. Ink as well. Medium body, tannins & acidity. Soft sweet spices round out the flavours & aromas.

12/21/2013 - KostaKats wrote:

Light lemon. Floral nose, light honeysuckle & jasmine, as well as pears & cinnamon. Medium body & acidity. Fruity and floral with a nice spicy bite on the finish. Correct but not thrilling.

12/17/2013 - KostaKats wrote:

Opened for my birthday. Garnet with red brick rim. Nose is developed with stewed raspberries & strawberries, followed by sous bois & earthy tones as well as tobacco and a meaty brothy aroma. This is past its peak but still drinkable even if the fruit is faded. Medium - body, now faded tannins but bright medium + acidity. A balance of fruit and savoury brothy tastes on the palate.

12/15/2013 - KostaKats Likes this wine:

Sunshine in a glass. Deep lemon. Ripe citrus, oaky vanilla, peaches, slight honey edge. Full bodied, honeyed peach n citrus on the palate. Medium+ acidity. Over the peak now but still very drinkable.

12/15/2013 - KostaKats Likes this wine:

Ruby red. Closed nose upon opening but with time sharp black and red fruits such as plums, blackberries, red cherries followed by riper prunes & figs, laurel and sweet spice and later tobacco, chocolate and mocha. Medium bodied, sharp cherries & plums followed by a chocolate edge on the palate. Medium + acidity and smooth yet still grainy tannins. Lovely

11/23/2013 - KostaKats wrote:

Dark ruby. Cherries, stewed strawberries, vanilla, violets, dried roses, lavender & laurel. Medium body, med+ tannins & acidity. Years ahead of it.

12/10/2013 - KostaKats Likes this wine:

Real ruby. Succulent sweet ripe figs, sultunas, tobacco, chocolate & even olives. Medium body, tannins & acidity. Aromas mirrored in flavour on the palate but less complex than the nose would suggest. Epitomy of balance. A very nice way to round of a great dinner at Harry's on my last night in NYC.

12/10/2013 - KostaKats Likes this wine:

Dark ruby. Wonderful ethereal nose of inky blackberry, blackcurrants, pure plums, black figs, soft sweet spice and even earth. Medium - body, tannins & + acidity. Very very smooth & like a good book unputdownable. Very good pairing with porterhouse steak at Harry's in NYC.

12/7/2013 - KostaKats wrote:

Ruby. Big nose of cherries, plums, slight ink & earth. Medium body, medium - tannins, medium + acidity. Good everyday wine especially with rich red pasta dishes.

12/7/2013 - KostaKats wrote:

Only my 2nd PB ever. Not as full or as ripe as the 1st one I had some years back at London's Traveller's Club. With more air honey & tropical fruit slowly emerges, mango, slight stony minerality. Medium body, medium acidity. Not thrilled but not disappointed either.

12/4/2013 - KostaKats wrote:

Bought this in a Boston wine store intrigued both by the recommendation from the store and the story of how 35 Provençal and Rhone growers supplied grapes to Chateau de Roquefort when the latter's crop was wiped out by hail. Dark ruby. Stewed strawberries & plums with a hint of chocolate. Medium- body, light tannins & medium acidity. Fruity, lacking complexity but full of fun like a good Côtes Du Rhône.

11/29/2013 - KostaKats wrote:

Ate with turkey leftovers. Ruby. New world pinot nose, raspberries & sour cherries. Just a hint of earth n herbs. Med-light body, light tannins and med + acidity. Raspberry & sour cherries on palate. Carbonic prickle on entry which disappears as the wine breathes. Good everyday pinot but lacks complexity. Expected more from Willamette Valley.

12/1/2013 - KostaKats wrote:

A better showing a few days later in Boston. Pinosity. Ruby red. Ripe raspberries, wild strawberries, sour cherries, earth and of course Burgundy sous bois. Medium bodied, smooth tannins, bright cherry acidity and slightly spicy midpalate.