Tannat Vrachos Alpha Domaine
€25,10
Tannat Vrachos by Alpha Estate is a dry red PGI Florina wine with power, depth and a clear single-block character. It is made from 100% Tannat, from the Vrachos vineyard block in the Ampelia area of the Amyndeon winegrowing zone, at an altitude of 660 metres and with a northwestern orientation facing Mount Voras. The cool environment of Florina helps a generous variety like Tannat keep freshness, balance and clarity, without becoming too heavy.
The winemaking follows the approach of the more demanding red wines of Alpha Estate: destemming without crushing, pre-fermentation cold maceration, fermentation with indigenous yeast flora from the same vineyard block and 12 months on the lees with periodic stirring. The wine then ages for 18 months in new French oak barrels from Allier and Bertrange and another 18 months in bottle, with no filtration or treatment before bottling.
In the glass, it has a deep, almost opaque ruby colour with violet highlights. The nose moves through dark fruit, blackcurrant, dried red fruit, leather, cocoa and spices, with oak adding subtle notes of vanilla and wood. On the palate, it is full, dense and creamy, with ripe tannins, firm structure and a long finish. This is a wine built for ageing, but not distant or difficult; it simply needs time in the glass and food that can match its presence.
Open it with juicy red meats, grilled dishes with spicy sauces, game, beef cooked with wine, dishes with plums or chestnuts and mature rich white cheeses. Serve it ideally at 16-18°C, and give it some time in a decanter to open up.
