Christos Kokkalis — Trilogia 2008

Trilogia 2008 by Christos Kokkalis is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the west coast of the Peloponnese (PGI Ilia) in southern Greece, and it is one of the best Trilogia vintages I've had. It is clearly better than the 2009, and while the 2012 has improved a lot in recent years, I don't think it reaches this level. Right now, the 2008 feels fully at its peak. I still don't think it surpasses the Trilogia 2006, which remains the best Trilogia I've personally tasted at 98 points — I've never had the chance to try the truly mythical 1990s vintages. On the nose, it is quintessential old-school Kokkalis: eucalyptus, juniper berry, overripe raspberry and blackberry, and cedarwood. On the palate, the tannins are mellowed and pliant, with a very long finish. It should continue to evolve beautifully over the next decade and beyond. I tasted it side by side with the Etos 2008 by Biblia Chora from Pangeon in Northern Greece — the very estate that later took over and continued the Trilogia story under Ktima Dioipsi. The Etos surprised with real freshness and textbook blackcurrant on the nose, more smokiness and acidity on the palate, and still very firm tannins. I rated the Etos at 94+ points, and I can imagine it one day outperforming Trilogia in international blind tastings. But for lovers of the old Kokkalis wines — for those who want to remember that legend in the glass — a wine like Trilogia 2008 is simply very hard to beat. Even with a pessimistic estimate, it earns 96 points from me.