Tsantali Metoxi Chromitsa Red

This review is one that is frustrating me.  To begin with, this wine is phenomenal!  So what’s the problem?  Availability.  I received this bottle as a media sample and after looking for it in some local wine shops and online I’ve had no luck in finding a source for it.  I’m sure it’s out there in some wine shops.  I’ll need to keep an eye out for it and I wish you luck if you try to hunt this one down.

This is actually the first Greek wine we’ve had an opportunity to review.  In six years, this is the first.  But after tasting this one, I’m sure it won’t be the last.

This wine, produced by Tsantali, comes from the Agioritikos region on the slopes of Mt. Athos.  It is a limited release, which explains why it’s a little hard to find.  And it’s understandable that there’s not a lot of this wine.  It’s made from limnio and cabernet sauvignon grapes grown in vineyards surrounding the St. Panteleimon cloister, and it’s hand-harvested by the monks of this cloister.

The nose on this wine is incredible, offering intense black licorice, black currant, cinnamon and chocolate aromatics.  The palate is equally delightful, delivering delicious black currant, blueberry, black licorice and chocolate flavors.  The acidity is perfect, the balance is solid and soft tannins add just enough texture to the mouthfeel.  The finish is teeming with spice and chocolate.  It’s seductive, harmonious, exotic, mesmerizing, exciting, daring, graceful, luxurious, voluptuous and sumptuous.  All of that in one glass.  This is a fantastic wine!  You might say, it’s divine.

Wine: Tsantali Metoxi Chromitsa Red
Variety: Limnio & cabernet sauvignon
Vintage: 2008
Alcohol: 13.5%
Rating: 91
Price: $17.00
Disclosure: This wine was received as a media sample.