Samartzis Mouhtaro, 14.5%, 2021, 0.75 L

Classification – dry red wine, PGI Thebes.

Varietal Composition - Mouhtaro 100%.

Vineyard - “Papanikolas” in Muses valley at the Southern slopes of mountain Helicon, altitude 380-420 m, soil clay and gravel.

Vinification - the grapes are handpicked, destemmed and following that step they go to big volume barrels (500 l), where by their own weight break and the grape juice starts to ferment with the indigenous wild yeast found on the grape skin. The wild yeast strains are “slow pace“ and ferment the juice slowly resulting to a medium temperature in the core of the grape mash. During fermentation & extraction the skins of the grapes are pushed down in the juice/wine only by hand, no pumping over or mechanically pushed downs are applied.  Final extraction period 8-10 days. Following that step the fermented skin, grape mass & wine go to a hydraulic jack vertical press, at which most of the wine runs freely through the staves of the basket and only 3-5% of press wine from that stage goes to the next step. The wine stays for 10-15 days in stainless-steel tanks to start the malolactic fermentation and then transferred to 300 & 500 l oak barrels. The malolactic fermentation is completed in the barrels. The wine stays in there for 10-12 months, matures and then it is racked and bottled unfiltered.

Eye - dark black ruby red color.

Nose - aromas of black fruit (black cherry, black berries of the forest), vanilla, chocolate, cacao, floral notes (violet) & sweet spice (cinnamon).

Palate - acidity is refreshing, high with mellow and round tannins, taste is rich, creamy, layered, dense with flavors of black fruit, butter, caramel, chocolate & cinnamon, body is full with very long aftertaste.

Pairing Suggestions - dishes that have ripe fruity notes, red meat stewed, red sauce with sweet spice.

Best served at 18 °C.