Tsantali Rapsani

My virtual tour of Greek wines continues with a “visit” to the southern slopes of Mt. Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece, via a taste of Tsantali Rapsani.

This wine is made from a blend of indigenous Greek grape varieties: Xinomavro, Krassato and Stavroto.  Wine Geek Info: The wine was aged in small French oak barrels for 6 months, 50% new oak and 50% re-used oak.  And it was aged in the bottle for at least 6 months before release.

Spice dominates the nose of this wine, offering nutmeg, black pepper and toasted oak aromatics.  There is also some fruit on the nose, such as cherry and strawberry.  It’s quite dry on the palate, with very good acidity.  This wine is not about big, ripe fruit flavors.  It’s more subtle than that.  There are some wild cherry and cranberry flavors, but the intensity of those flavors is restrained.  This wine is more about structure than it is about fruit.  And it’s a wine that’s best enjoyed with food.  The acidity will compliment fatty foods while the flavors won’t overpower the food.  It has decent tannins too, adding a touch of texture.  If you like juicy fruit bombs this isn’t your wine, but if you like good food wines with nuanced flavors then check this one out.

I continue to say “thumbs up” to Greek wines with this one.

Wine: Tsantali Rapsani
Variety: Xinomavro, Krassato and Stavroto blend
Vintage: 2009
Alcohol: 13%
Rating: 86
Price: $15.00
Disclosure: This wine was received as a media sample.

Find Tsantali Rapsani with Snooth