Xinomavro Réserve Alpha Domaine

Xinomavro Réserve by Alpha Estate is one of the most serious and deep expressions of the variety in Amyndeon. It is made from 100% Xinomavro and comes from the Barba Yannis single block, in the Ampelia area of the Amyndeon winegrowing zone, at an altitude of 647 metres, with a northwestern orientation facing Mount Voras. The vines were planted in 1919, are ungrafted and trained as bush vines, giving the wine concentration, character and a clear sense of place.
In the winery, Alpha Estate follows an approach of low intervention but high precision: destemming, light crushing, 4 days of pre-fermentation cold maceration, fermentation with indigenous yeast flora from the same vineyard block and 24 months on the lees with regular stirring. The wine then ages for 24 months in new French oak barrels from Allier and Jupilles, followed by another 12 months in bottle, with no filtration before bottling.
In the glass, it has a bright deep ruby colour and aromas of sun-dried tomato, dark fruit, strawberry, dark cherry, plum, licorice and spices. On the palate, it is full-bodied, with deep fruit, firm but well-worked tannins, balanced acidity and a long finish. This is Xinomavro with intensity and ageing potential, but not difficult for the sake of it; it simply needs a little time in the glass and food with character.
Open it with grilled red meats, lamb, game, tomato-based stews, sausages, meat pies, dishes with tomato and mature, rich cheeses. Serve it ideally at 16-18°C and give it a little air before the first glass.