A behemoth of Greek wine Tsantali is 12 million bottles large You can find something of their vast range on many a remote island In villages even settlements where a bakaliko grocery store acts as social centre This ubiquitous giant also distils those quintessentially Greek drinks tsipouro and ouzo
One quite never knows what Tsantali has in mind More recently having headhunted Panayoti Kyriakidis from Ampeloeniki a leading consulting outfit they appointed him as Chief Oenologist I am closely watching what new ideas and direction this experienced technician and his team will bring to this volumeoriented wine and spirit address The reviewed wine shows that they can do small for them lots of 15000 bottles which are worth the discovery of a bullseye effort As I have mentioned in these pages overwhelmingly Greek CS are offtarget Made according to a French protocol not tuned to Greek climatic farming requirements they do not have much of a future In the current grim financial situation crystalball gazing what to replant for the future comes sharply into focus Yet this organic vineyard located opposite their sprawling base in Aghios Pavlos Chalkidiki could not be a more enticingly nocompromise example Soil is silty clay lying on a bedrock of limestone My favourite pet of phenolically ripened tannins is nearperfect Indeed such were the seductive powers of this lucent varietal it left me enchanted It is also good to see one of the big players offer such characterful individuality
Deep red Initially sweet nose with spice and chocolate It opens up to earthy notes cedar Shoulder is covered with encrusted tannin in what the French call chemise Ripe tannins wellknit oak Generous persistent feral finish Big and bold Carafing recommended Best 201015
Wine: Organic Cabernet Sauvignon Chalkidiki Tsantali
Year: 2006
Link: http://www.tsantali.gr/
Score: 17
Type: Red
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Area: Macedonia