Alpha Estate Xinomavro Reserve Vieilles Vignes 2022

Xinomavro is one of Greece’s important red varieties, known for its high acidity, firm tannins and savoury depth, which together make ageworthy, food-friendly wines – in structure sitting in similar territory to serious Piedmont Nebbiolo. Here there’s a clear focus on ripe red berries and dark cherries sitting alongside liquorice, sun-dried tomato and herbs on a full-bodied, dry palate with firm, velvety tannins. Old, low-yielding bush vines concentrate the flavours, while 24 months in French oak add gentle spice and roundness, and the high, relatively cool vineyards of the Amyndeon plateau bring bright acidity that keeps it structured. It’s a Greek old-vine red that’ll happily rub shoulders with many from the classic regions.

Built to age, this has the structure to sit happily in the cellar for several years as well as on the table now. Good with roast or slow-cooked lamb, tomato-rich Greek dishes, and hearty stews or game where the tannins and acidity can get to work.

Alpha Estate is the brainchild of vine grower Makis Mavridis and talented, Bordeaux trained wine maker Angelos Latrides. The estate is located in the cool highlands of Western Macedonia where the altitudes approach 600. Here they have 120 hectares of vines and employ up to the minute vineyard techniques and winemaking technology to make seriously impressive wines from a mix of French and native Greek varietals. The combined effects of steady north westerly breezes, low rainfall and sandy, low fertility creates an ideal terroir giving Makis and Angelos the tools to make some of the best Greek wines you’ll find.