Boutari : Grande Reserve 2010

A Single-Varietal Xinomavro Red Wine from Greece

The Boutari estate expands over seven distinct wineries (6 in Greece and 1 in France), each with its own unique terroir and identity. The Naoussa Winery is situated in the appellation of Naoussa, at the eastern foothills of Mount Vermio in Macedonia. Boutari was one of the pioneering Greek wineries to promote the local Xinomavro variety and this region, which is home to exceptional wines. The vineyards are located on the sun-soaked southeastern slopes of Mount Vermio, where the wines are protected from the heat by cool northern winds. The terroir is characterized by well-draining marl soils (of clay loam), which are rich in calcium and lend a generous body to the wines produced in the area. The Boutari Grande Reserve 2010 is a single-varietal Xinomavro red wine made from vines with an average age of 30-40 years. The grapes are cold-soaked for around 24 hours before undergoing controlled alcoholic fermentation and soft maceration with intense turnovers prior to the beginning of fermentation. The wines then undergo malolactic fermentation before being matured in French oak barrels for 24 months.

In the glass, the Naoussa Xinomavro Grande Reserve 2010 from Boutari displays and intensely deep red color. The aromatic bouquet reveals savory notes of olive, tomato juice, dry figs and cinnamon, along with red fruits. On the palate, this Boutari wine offers excellent structure, with fim and full-bodied tannins balancing generous flavors and a long afterfinish, resplendant with cinnamon and toasted nuts. This wine is a wonderful pairing to a wide variety of dishes, including roasted game meat or spicy sausage.