I love Syrah But after tasting several new producers efforts detachment set in and for a good reason Deeply coloured Loaded with bright fruit For the most part suave tannins cocoaoak notes galore They could have been produced anywhere in the world There is an audience for Syrah and the reasons why such styles exist are many Only one from a littleknown region had a sense of place a soul Not all of the numerous topsoils and mesoclimates in Greece will produce fireworks such as this lone and a future star in the making So my attention turned to an indigenous red grape you have probably never heard of Vertzami It is to be found on the Ionian Islands in western Greece I recall the word Vertzamo i since I was around 89 years of age harking back to my Corfiot autumns Its dark skin colour made an impression on me at the time It still does today Ampelographer Haroula Spinthiropoulou says There are several clones in the central part of high Lefkada Above 500 m it ripens with difficulty There is unlocked potential
The style of this wine could not be further away from the aforementioned confected Syrahs When fully mature it is reminiscent of that other great tannic highacid red grape Switzerlands Cornalin The owner of the Lefkafitiki Gi winery oenologist Dimitris Robotis is on to a good thing here He works closely with his suppliers trying to persuade them to lower yields in order to achieve phenolic ripeness His marketing communication is understated and to the point The uncluttered back label of this fascinating highquality variety carries the following message No big stories Just quality wine
Restrained aroma of spice and violets A defined delicious tannic grip Shades of integrated oak A core of red cherries Vivacious crisp palate Expressive mountain character comes through on the finish Best 20112015
Wine: Lefkaditiki Gi Vertzami
Year: 2009
Link: http://www.lefkaditikigi.gr/
Score: 17
Type: Red
Variety: Vertzami
Area: Ionian Islands