The Assyrtiko grape is one of the most widely planted white grapes in Greece. Apart from its home on the island of Santorini this grape produces very beautiful wines coming from vineyards surrounding the city of Athens. This Theros Assyrtiko 2020- Markou Vineyards is a perfect featured example!

The wine has a light golden colour with a clear appearance, which tells us that the wine is still very youthful. There are no signs of aging yet. In terms of viscosity the wine stays on the inside of the glass in one whole after swirling.

A medium to high intesity in the nose provides us with beautiful aromas of oranges, unripe peach, pineapple and yellow apple. Tones of minerality like wet limestone, along with a salty touch. We finish with white flowers like acacia, orange blossom and jasmine. In the nose the wine comes across rather young, but with aging potential. It has a medium complexity in the nose.  

The wine ferments in amphoras, which can explain the extra notes of minerality. It also provides us with a creamy mouthfeel and a medium level of acidity.

There is a nice balance and the wine is ready to drink. We do have potential for the development of more complex notes, when the wine has the chance to age for a bit. There is a high complexity and a long aftertaste.

Score: 89/100

Mencia grape at its best in this  Ribeira Sacra Mencia 2019.

The region of Ribeira Sacra lies in Galicia, in the northwest of Spain. A cool region that is has a great influence of the Atlantic Ocean nearby. The grape Mencia thrives here and gives the wine a medium purple colour and a rather deep intensity.   

The aromas in the nose have a medium intensity of red and black fruit characters like black berries, pomegranate, black raspberries and red cherries. Vegetal aromas occur like the leaf of black berries and spicy notes like black tea, roseship and liqourice.

Right before we swallow, we notice some notes of minerality and raspberry jam. This leads to a medium to high complexity.

Mencia characterizes itself with a high level of acidity and a medium level of tannins, even though they are still unripe in this one. The wine is already very drinkable and has a nice aging potential. There is a long aftertaste with a medium to high complexity.

Score: 81/100

The Chasselas grape finds its origin in the region fo Alsace in France, but made a name for itself as Fendant from Switzerland. For this wine, the grape goes back to its roots.

Domaine Schoffit, Alsace Chasselas Veilles Vignes 2020 produces a Chasselas with a medium golden colour and a high level of viscosity.

The initial nose gives us a very low intensity (medium after swirling), but with so much potential. The wine is very modest in the nose, but you do sense the potential. When you do your best you find very ripe aromas of fruit like overripe yellow apple, apricot and pear marmelade. Along with that we find orange peel and peach.

There is a high presence of white flowers, such as vanilla flower, apple and orange blossom. Secondary aromas of cream and butter, with some caramel, hazelnuts and a touch of honeycomb, which tells us that there has been some aging on wood. A high complexity in the nose.

In the taste we find a medium level of acidity with a creamy texture that leads to a crisp, mouth astringent mouth feel and creamy layer. There is a medium to high intensity in terms of taste, but with very smooth tannins. The texture like this can be explained by the malolactic fermentation and the aging on the lees.

The complexity shows us the use of old vines and the aging potential, but the wine is already delicious right now! A long aftertaste gives us the finishing touch!

Score: 86/100

The Gewurztraminer is a very aromatic and expressive grape. Usually it gets planted mainly in regions like the Alsace or the west of Germany. But even in our very own country of the Netherlands! In Mechelen near the city of Maastricht to be more specific.

At the winery Steenberg de wine Domein Steenberg Gewurztraminer 2020 gets produces with the BOB Mergelland. BOB is the appellation of the Netherlands.

The Gewurztraminer provides this wine with a medium pale straw colour and a clear, bright intensity. The nose gives us minerality like flint, quickly followed with notes of fresh exotic fruit like lychee and white peach. Fresh, yet ripe notes of yellow apple and lime, with spicy ginger, honeycomb, acacia flower and jasmine to finish of with. The complexity goes from medium to high.  

The medium level of acidity in the taste, along with the notes of fruit provides a very crisp mouth feel. In combination with tannins of the grape and small creamy layer we can come to the conclusion that there is a high intesity in flavour and taste.

The wine is already very nicely balanced and is best to enjoyed now, when it is still fresh and young. The peak of the wine is right now. The aftertaste has a medium to long lenght, so we can state that the general complexity is medium to high.

Score: 86/100

A fairly unknown variety coming from Trentino- Aldige, in the north of Italy. The Manzoni Bianco is the grape for the wine Manzoni 'Fontanasanta' 2020 with a clear and bright appearance and a light to medium golden colour. The wine seems to be still young, but with a high intesity in its colour.

The nose is starting very complex, but you can notice that all the aromas are giving away almos immediately. Think of aromas like banana, overripe apricot, mango, dried exotic fruit, pineapple and yellow peach. After that some notes of processed fruit come through like baked apples and pears. The citrus fruit comes straight after with orange peel and tangerine. Notes of aging in oak barrels comes to close it off, with mainly coconut and caramel. The scent of honey remains the thread throughout the nose.

The taste gives us a lot of juicy fruit with a medium acidity. Therefore we can state there is a mouth feel of both crips and creamy.

The aging on wood has been kept to a minimum, so you can say that all the ripe characters come from the grape itself. The wine will develop further over the course of two years.

At this point in time the complexity is rather medium, because the wine gives away a lot from the first smell and taste. After the second glass, there will not be that much left to discover. Hopefully this will change a bit after the wine has aged in the bottle.

Score: 84/100

In the region of Tokaj, in the northern part of Hungary, something else gets produced other than the noble sweet wines we all know and love! This Naparany 2019 is a perfect example of such!

Produced with the local varieties of Harlevu (60%) and Furmint (40%) this young wine has a light gold colour and a medium intesity in the nose.

The nose gives us notes of softer exotic fruit like quince, yellow apple, white peach, lychee and unripe pineapple. A fresh touch of lime gets complemented with more ripe notes of honeycomb, vanilla and the floral aroma of apple blossom. The wine is still young, but the fragrance shows a lot of potential.

A medium acidity and creaminess in the texture shows us the use of oak barrels, alternated with stainless steel.

The balance of the wine if very elegant and is responsible for a long and subtle aftertaste. This is a wine that will keep on surprising you, as you go further. The already high level of complexity will only increase and get more refined as the wine ages.

Score: 88/100

This Savalan Sauvignon Blanc 2019 Aspi Winery comes from the Savalan from Azerbaijan and is such a beautiful interplay between different aromas.

Thanks to the continental climate in the valley that contains very warm summers and cold winters, typical aromas of goosberry, cut grass and green apple get developed. Along with limes and pear. This is however just the beginning, because when you give the wine a litte bit of time, more and more aromas will come to the surface. Think of citrus blossom, lychee and white asparagus, along with some green herbs like sage and dill.  
The level of acidity is medium to high and creates that typical fresh, crisp mouth feel of Sauvignon Blanc!

Despite the age of 3 years the wine smells, tastes and appears rather young. Nevertheless the wine is best enjoyed now and should not be kept for too long.

Score: 81/100

Even though the Dutch winery De Apostelhoeve focusses more on the production of fresh fruity white wines iet was the Pinot Gris Barriques 2020 that got most of my attention.

Like the name already gives away this is the variety Pinot Gris that has been aged on wood. This shows in its light golden colour with a clear bright appearance. The wine does still look very youthful.

The intesity of the nose is very high and provides us some characters of burned almonds, immediately followed with primary aromas. Especially notes of yellow apple, cantalope melon, peach and quince. Apart from that we find a hint of honeysuckle, lemon zest and from there we go straight into the secondary and tertiary aromas. Think of vanilla, creamy butter, beeswax, honey, burned hazelnuts and finally back to the first scent of burned almonds. The wine displays a high complexity.  

In the taste we notice most of the same aromas from the nose. The level of acidity is rather medium, yet does provide us with a crisp mouthfeel along with a creamy texture. A slight level of tannins from the oak is present, however the tannins are very soft and ripe.

The tannins are coming from 6 months aging on new French oak (which gives out the most tannins).

A complete balance is found in the wine, with a high aging potential, a long aftertaste and a high level of complexity.

Score: 88/100

The Greek island of Santorini is not only a popular holiday destination, but it also the home for one of the top wines in Greece. This tanks to the vulcanic soil found on the island. Here comes the  Assyrtiko, Estate Argyros 2020.

Assyrtiko is one of the most planted varieties in the country with wines that have a clear and bright appearance and a dark straw colour. The shininess reveales a youthful character.  

The nose provides us notes of lime, passion fruit, lemon peel and white grapefruit. Complemented with herbal notes such as dill and tarragon an the richness of beeswax. The presence of flint and seashell show us that the Mediterranean is very close by. The nose is pretty intense, no signs of development, but a medium to high complexity.

The Assyrtiko grape has the characteritstic of having a fairly high level of acidity and the alcohol level of 14.5 % shows how the warm climate is of influence. The result is a beautiful crisp and fresh structure with a high intensity in taste.

The maturation and fermentation have been completely done on stainless steel, which makes the wine ready to drink now. Even though I do have the feeling that other flavours will develop over time. If you like the freshness and crispyness drink it now!

A high complexity with a medium to lang, pleasant aftertaste.

Score: 86/100

This Spanish 90 Minutes Priorat 2019 has a medium purple colour, with a medium level of intensity and shows no signs of aging yet. It does show a high level of viscosity. In the nose we find notes of stewed strawberry, black fruit, figs and unripe banana.
Complemented with dried spices, cinnamon, new leather, burned oak and black tea.  
The level of acidity is medium, but the wine does have a high intensity in flavour and complexity. The tannins are very soft and already fully ripened.
This blend consist of the grapes Garnacha, Cargnan and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine has a very nice long aftertaste and will develop further in a few years time.

Score: 88/100

Baranna Volgy 2018 from Hungary has a very shiny, medium ruby red colour and a light deep appearance. The first aromas we pick up from the nose are black cherries, red mulberry and black currant. After swirling we notice notes of spices like mutmeg, black tea, coffee beans, chocolate and red pepper. After being exposed to oxygen, we find some dried roses and violets.
The complexity in the nose is already very high.
The level of acidity is medium and the intesity of the taste is very soft and subtle. A low level of tannins, that is very smooth.
Blaufrankisch is the name of the grape variety, but locally it is called Kekfrankos. Despite the age of 4 years, the wine still comes across as very young and lively. However an aging potential is certainly present. A very long, pleasant aftertaste makes it all complete! It is a wine with a never ending layering.

Score: 93/100

This white coming from the Thermenregion, south of Vienna, Austria is made with the local old varieties of Zierfandler and Rotgipfler.

Johanneshof Reinisch Gumpoldskirchner Tradition 2020 with its medium to deep straw colour, is a very young wine, that has no signs of aging.

A high intesity in the nose gives us gooseberries, honeydew melon, guava and a lot of minerality. Complemented with unripe pineapple, yellow apple, pear compote and secundary aromas like butter, yeast, vanilla and hazelnut. Going by these aromas we can judge the complexity of the nose between medium and high.

The little bit of residual sugar in the taste makes for some oily feeling in the mouth, however the wine does possess a medium level of acidity. We can notice some tannins, coming soley from the grape itself, but are fully ripened.  

The wine is ready to drink, because the quality will not increase over time. So drink it now! (next year will work as well)
Thanks to a high complexity and long aftertaste, there will be no ending to your enjoyment!

Score: 86/100

Even New Zealand shows that they can be very innovating with the variety that placed the country on the map: the Sauvignon Blanc!

This expression of Mission Estate, Marlborough NZ Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2020 is the perfect example! A Sauvignon Blanc aged on oak, but still has that tipical freshness. In terms of appearance this Sauv Blanc is like any other, very bright and clear with a medium yellow colour. However after swirling, the high level of viscosity shows due to the aging on wood.

The nose starts very closed off, so you need to really search for the aromas, however a quest has never been that fun! Subtle aromas of goosberry, lemongrass, ginger, dill, lime, grapefruit, green apple, fresh cut grass and green herbs. Mineralities stay present at a subtle level, throughout the entire nose, so do the typical region aromas like passionfruit and white peach.
The oak is present as well, but yet again very subtle.
A pretty high level of acidity with high intesity in taste, supported by the 10 month aging on wood and the battonage.

The wine is ready to drink with a high complexity and long aftertaste.

Score: 89/100

Mission Estate goes on with innovating, because whoever thought that Pinot Noir was the only red grape in New Zealand is very much mistaken!  

This Mission Estate, Hawke's Bay NZ, Syrah Reserve 2019 shows just how beautiful a Syrah coming from a cool climate can be. A deep intensity with a medium purple colour and no signs of aging yet.

Again a very subtle nose, but after you put in some effort, the aromas just keep on coming! Blue berries, wild strawberry, spiced red plums, blackberries and the typical spiciness of white pepper, nutmeg, saffaras and green peppercorn. The oak is represented by fresh coffee, cedar and sandalwood.

A medium acidity in the taste, that outlines the fresh character of the Syrah grape. French oak has been used and although the wine is ready to drink, it can still age for another few years.

The wine finishes with a beautiful, long aftertaste and a very subtle, yet high complexity.

Score: 90/100

Even though there are not enough words that can really describe the beauty of this Reynolds Grande Reserva 2012 Alentejano in its full right, I will give it a go with this review. A deep purple colour, with signs of aging, followed by such an intense nose.  
Starting with lovely notes of grilled red capsicum, clearly stating the presence of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape in the blend. Notes of red raspberry, dried plums, marichene cherries and figs. Delicious spices like cinnamon, liqorice, burned toast, dark chocolate, cloves and tobacco. Aging notes alternate with fruit components in a beautiful way.

A very high intensity in taste with a pretty high level of acidity and aging. Beautifully balanced between the grapes Alicante Bouchet, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine was aged on oak for 18 months and 5 years of bottle aging, with a very high aging potential as a result!

Score: 91/100

This Xinomavro, domaine Karanika Unfiltered 2017 coming from the northern part of Greece. A clear and bright appearance with a light pomegranate red colour. On the edge we find beginning signs of aging. The high viscosity is shown by very thick, slow legs that are left in the glass after swirling.  

The high intesity in the nose gives us aromas like rhubarb, red blackberries, red raspberry and craberry sauce. A subtle note of minerals stays througout the entire nose and is due to the unfiltered characteristic of the wine. Aging on oak causes aromas of nutmeg, liquorice and clove. The aged character shows earthy notes, forest floor, leather and a touch of soy sauce. From the nose alone we can say that the wine has a high level of complexity.

A Xinomavro grape usually characterizes itself with a high level of acidity. Even though this is still present, it is tempered due to the aging of the wine. Because of this we can state a medium level of tannins. They are fully ripened and still provid that grippy feeling in the mouth.

The vines are between the age of 60 and 100 years old and have their share in the complexity of the wine, along with the aging on wood and in the bottle.

Further aging over time, will bring out more animal like notes and forest scents. However when you want to experience the charateristic acidity and tannins of the Xinomavre, don't wait years to drink this wine.
This hidden gem has a long after taste and a complexity that keeps on surprising you!

Score: 88/100

Chile is working miracles with French varieties! This Futa, Calcu 2009 shows that miracle so beautifully! A single varietal that will blow your mind. The wine is coming from the Colchagua Valley (south of Santiago) and has a an ideal climate to mature a Cabernet Sauvignon.

An intense, deep colour of ruby red, with some highlights of purple and a very youthfull appearance, despite its age. A high level of viscosity ( thick legs after swirling), points to a high level of alcohol. The country of origin is known for this style.
A lot of complexity is already present, even though the nose starts off a bit closed off. A fruity start with red raspberries, overly ripe strawberry, black blackberries, black cherries and dried figs. Beautiful notes of grilled red capsicum and eucalyptus, followed by oak aromas like liquorice, dark chocolate, sweet tobacco, cacao beans and mocha. The nose is very complex and you discover new aromas every time you take a sniff! The nose still comes across as rather young, with aging potential.  

A medium acidity with fulle ripened, smooth tannins. The aftertaste is long and endless. The mouthfeel stays crisp and dries the mouth, but wonderfully balanced with the elegance and smoothness of the wine. A beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon!

Score: 90/100

A very surprising edition of the Alvarinho grape gives us this Alvarinho Heteronyms 2017 from Vinho Verde, the north of Portugal.

The wine already shows beautiful signs of aging, but is still very bright and clear in appearance, with a colour of deep yellow. After swirling the wine sticks to the glass as one whole and then goes down into thick slow legs.

The nose starts off with notes of honey, overripe apricot, ripe pineapple, dried peach, melon and orange peel. After that it goes to vanilla, oak, toasted nuts, salted brioche and hazelnuts. The wine hase been aged on the wood of hazulnut as well. There is a high intensity and complexity present, and that is just judging by the nose alone. However the taste is a bit less intense and complexe like the nose, it does give us enough complexity and excitement. A medium level of acidity, along with a light oily texture, due to the aging on the lees, makes for a beautiful balance.

Aging is already there, even as a lot of potential. There is a medium, yet pleasant aftertaste.

Score: 87/100

A Shiraz from Australia in all its glory! The Mr. Riggs Shiraz 2019 McLaren Vale has a very intense and deep appearance, with a beautiful medium purple colour.  

A high intesity of aromas with sun-stewed black cherry, cherry sauce, black plums, dried strawberry and black raspberry. In terms of spiciness you can notice some black pepperm sweet tobacco, chocolate, cinnamon, caramel, oak, vanilla, espresso and cigar box.

A pretty young wine, that already shows a very high level of complexity and still has a lot of years to go in terms of aging potential.
A high level of tannins, that does not predominate, but leads to a excellent balance! It has a long aftertaste.

Score: 90/100

Mandilaria is a typical indigenous Greek grape variety, that finds its origin on the island Rhodes. The skin of the grape is pretty thick, so it gives out a lot of colour. Due to the refreshing level of acidity, the grape is very well suited for a rose wine.  

The Mandilaria Rose 2021- Nikolou Winery has this beautiful deep salmon coloured appearence with a white edge, that gives away the youthfulness of the wine. The level of viscosity is high, hence the legs are pretty thick and run down the glass slowly.

The nose has a medium to high intesity with aromas like pink grapefruit, tangerine, wild strawberry, apricot and orange peel. When we work a bit harder we come to deeper aromas of orange blossom and fresh mediterranean herbs. This leads to the conclusion that the wine has a medium complexity in the nose.

The high level of acidity alternates with the mouth drying feeling left by the medium level of tannins. Which leads to a very fun interaction.

Due to this interaction we can state that the wine is meant to be paired with food. Think of lighter white meats like pork or poultry or rich fish like tuna or salmon with dill. Also a lot of mediterranean dishes will work perfectly!

The wine is meant to drink when it is young.

Score: 85/100

Wine can be orderd at 013Wines

www.013wines.com/c/rose-wijn

Apart from Assyrtiko, Savatiano is the most planted white variety of Greece. The grape finds its origin in the region surrounding the city of Athens, and can have very different styles, a bit like Chardonnay. This goes from very clean and crisp to very full bodied with notes of oak. Apart from that it is the only grape that is allowed to make Retsina wine with pine resin aromas.

This Savatiano 2021- Nikolou Winery shows us the grape in its most pure form and beauty! It has a light golden colour, which bursts of youthfulness and will be later confirmed in the nose. Fresh notes of green apple, lemon and pickled citrus fruit, complemented with riper notes of Galia melon. Notes of fresh garden herbs like thyme and dill complete the complexity. The salty character shows us that the Mediterranean Sea is not far off.  

The medium level of acidity works very refreshing and makes sure that the wine stays nicely balanced. Due to the salty character, along with the herbs it goes very well with Greek dishes like Psari Plaki, which is a fried haddock with garlic, green herbs and lemon juice.

Score 85/100

Wine is available at

www.013wines.com/c/witte-wijn

Malagouzia is an authentic Greek variety that almost has been extinct. It was granted a second life on the penninsula of Halkidiki, which is just south of the city Thessaloniki.
Now the grape is planted in other parts of the country as well, like at the winery of Papagiannakos, just outside of the capital city Athens.
Kalogeri Malagouzia 2021 is a young implementation of the grape with a medium yellow colour, clear appearance and a light aromatic character.
Beautiful aromatic notes of white flowers and light tropical fruit, but does not jump out of the glass. Think of notes of jasmine, linden blossom and acacia. The primary fruit presents itself with white peach, yellow apple, and the freshness of limes. In the mouth we experience an interaction between the crisp acidic feeling and the creamy texture.

The wine has a medium acidity and a light minerality in the aftertaste, alternated with the oily texture of bees wax. Beautifully balancend and ready to drink.

Score: 83/100

When looking for a good rose, you do not always have to look that far, or not even to the Provence for that matter. This Pinot Noir Rose 2020, Wijndomein Stokhem is a beautiful rose coming from The Netherlands.

It is a clear wine, with a medium intense salmon coloured appearance and no signs of aging. The nose gives us wild strawberries, pink grapefruit, cantaloupe melon, orange zest, tangerine, rosemary and pink peppercorns. No signs of aging in the nose, with a medium complexity.

A high level of acidity leaves us with a very crisp mouthfeel and a high intensity in taste.
There is a very low presence of tannins, but they are very soft. With no aging on wood, the tannins come from the grape.

The wine is perfectly balanced and ready to drink right now. There is a medium aftertaste and medium complexity.

Score: 81/100