After an acrimonious split with his brother Konstantinos in 1996 Yiannis Boutaris named this Naoussa estate which he first planted in the late 1960s Kir Yianni Yiannis has now gone into politics
More importantly Kir Yianni is now in the hands of his eldest son Stelios He has sought to introduce some stability and much needed changes He has implemented an extensive replanting program as the inherited Xinomavro vines had for years been working overtime see large yields to cater for the negociant needs of Boutari Naoussa Grande Reserve Remember that old chestnut
Diaporos is a new cuvee launched in spring 2008 with much noise at a lavish event at the Zappeion Hall in Athens So what is all the hoopla about Is it the breakthrough wine it is claimed to be Though winemaking is now more modern at the estate this wine other than the claimed blend of Xinomavro 87 and Syrah 13 is stylistically nothing new per se Contradictory Bear with me If all the choices of clones rootstock and new farming practice are correct we will not know for quite some time into what direction Stelios and his team of consultants have steered this now in transition estate Such is natures pace that it will be years before the new vines settle pick up age and show how good the anticipated modern profile really is
Onedimensional kirsch like nosetwitching spirit Gamey Slowly blossoming into spice and some sweetness Harsh raw green tannins Bretty The label states 145 ABV though with no fruit on the palate to pad it out it tastes much higher Finishes very hot No terroir imprint which can shine here The 1994 Pinot Noir mirrored it with laserlike accuracy In its maiden vintage Diaporos is another out of sync rustic Kir Yianni Not the step forward I would have liked to report
Wine: Diaporos Kir Yianni
Year: 2005
Link: http://www.kiryianni.gr
Score: 14.5
Type: Red
Variety: Xinomavro
Area: Macedonia