With few exceptions the majority of Greek Cabernet Sauvignon efforts are off the mark Most are planted in the wrong place arid hotter regions and not farmed appropriately to achieve balanced ripe grapes The wines are charmless Mostly a boatload of astringent green drying tannins Hardly appealing stuff On the other hand there are microclimates and knowhow to produce good perhaps exceptional varietal wine from this ubiquitous grape
CS does not even make it to the top 3 shortlist of my favourite red grape varieties So during my autumn monthlong scouting in the vineyards I was pleasantly shocked to find something that appealed in equal measures to mind and heart So much so that one of those rare lapses of professional discipline occurred the opposite to spitting out
Vassilis Tsaktsarlis may have a hardtopronounce surname but his soft touch apparent in all of his wines represents one of the towering efforts in Greek wines A Bordeaux graduate this 42yearold is a partner with Vangelis Gerovassiliou of the eponymous estate and the vineyardfocused oenologist at Biblia Chora A man of few words Incisive comment Free of hype Actually as refreshing as the wines he makes
Dark Classic nose of cassis and minerality Piquant Cabernet Sauvignon fruit Depth Grippy stylish tannins complemented by tightwoven acidity Great balance Oozing elegance on the long finish Whispering presence and staying power Stylistically this is the closest the northern Aegean shoreline has so far got to St Estephe A star in the making Best 20102020
Wine: Ovilos Biblia Chora Estate
Year: 2005
Link: http://www.bibliachora.gr
Score: 18
Type: Red
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Area: Macedonia