During my first trips to Drama in the mid 1990s I often lamented that there were no Greek varietal or blends In this reenergised region Frenchorigin grapes were dominant alongside the odd Italian such as Trebbiano and not much else How things have changed This inspired ItalianGreek blend is one of the more interesting new things to emerge from this NorthEastern Macedonian inner valley It is one of several limitedproduction premium labels made in the Chateau Julia series by the Costa Lazaridi Estate Adriani Drama
While tasting this wine a flash of memory reminded me of what a solid uniformquality vintage 2005 is Even the beneficial postharvest rains were appreciated Weatherwise the picture is getting far more complicated with decreasing rainfall and extreme heat peaks Back to this lovely new departure Drama wine My insitu postharvest notes to this professionallymanaged estate read Tank sample Refosco purple blueblack colour full bodied high acid crushed fresh blueberry pastelike What will this lead to This vintage is a landmark year for Domaine Costa Lazaridi for another reason too Michel Rolland went to work with them He walked the vineyards extensively prior to the harvest Every January he comes to Adriani to prepare the blends The wild side of aforementioned Refosco dal peduncolo rosso was softened and fleshed out with 40 Agiorgitiko This is clever stuff It is a big gutsy wine that benefits from being served at cellarroom temperature Carafing too
Floral with ripe plums Black cherry mochachoc flavours Thickly textured An earthy note leading on to a tannic grip with a warm spicy afterglow 146 ABV A true sense of place Not for the faint hearted Enjoy with spicy dishes Best 20102015
Wine: Chateau Julia Refosco - Agiorgitiko
Year: 2005
Link: http://www.domaine-lazaridi.gr/
Score: 17
Type: Red
Variety: Refosco
Area: Macedonia