Have for days been studying a geological map of Naoussa There is a great variation of soil type Not all are suitable for producing fine wine The heavier types produce mediocrities A few are a terroir scouts dream There are slivers of limestone bedrock and volcanic soils which contribute to making wines of real class Then there are microclimate nuances Such as the cooling winds that blow down from Mount Vermio I revert to nearendless thumbing through my note books Gleaming a word here a word there trying to sketch one of natures fascinating patchworks Occasionally right there staring you in your face that great French term terroir Several Naoussa place names such as Gastra Paliokalia Roudina spring to mind Each one of them distinctly different As of 2004 a worthy new addition has emerged
Apostolos Thimiopoulos vineyards are located at Trilofos At the very southern tip of the appellation of Naoussa He has several formidable aces up his sleeve Among them terroir and his father The former came with owning vineyards on some of the best suited aforementioned soil types Sterghios the energetic father has been described to me by technicians as Naoussas top farmer In the emotiondriven culture from which todays Greece often suffers such professional praise is rare indeed And there is proof of this accolade not being empty words Thimiopoulos ever vigilant proactive stance in their vineyards during the unusually hot and dry 2007 conditions has paid off handsomely
Deeper garnet than in any other vintage At 143 ABV checking in near identical to the cooler and wetter 2006 Hard to believe that it is not higher Architecturally the two could not be further apart The purity of fruit and sheer freshness just shines through all the strong earthy spicy notes It powers to a sprinting finish Xinomavros usually hard tannins are yet again coaxed to bring out the pretty side of this highacid grapes inimitable character Depth with finesse With so much stuffing it wont start delivering on some of its early promise and uniqueness before winter 2010 Do not be afraid to carafe it If you can hold out best from 20112018