Kokkinos Xinomavro Naoussa

Surprisingly light bodied, but tannins still very high. Decanted 45 min or so, which was not nearly enough. Suggest 1.5-2 hours. Bramble, earth, tomato and tobacco leaf. Medium finish.

Ripe plum and tomato on the nose. Baking spice and loam. Dry, with pronounced acidity and elevated, drying tannins. Medium bodied, and 13°. Sweet cherry fruit plays against bitterness through longer than average finish. Still youthful. Perhaps a few more years will tame the tannins and bring out more savory characteristics.

Initially opened a week before this tasting. Seemed a little stringent and recorked and evacuated. After a week tried again. Clear ruby color. Dark fruit of blackberry, black currant and some underlying darker notes of oriental spice, licorice and forest floor. The palate is less expressive but with the same palate. Good acidity and lots of tannins. Long finish with the persistent acid and tannins. After thinking about the wine I actually went back and raised my score a bit. …

I have come to love a good Naoussa. I was a little disappointed in this one. It was a bit out of balance and thin.

Naoussa Wine Fair (Stewords Riverboat, Marina South Pier) : pale ruby; acidic and tannic, medium plus body, short; raspberry, cloves, grass, earthy