Domaine Costa Lazaridi – Château Julia Assyrtiko 2019

In a blind tasting of the best Assyrtiko wines from the Greek mainland, this wine from PGI Drama stood out above all for its balance. It delivers the primary virtue that matters most in Assyrtiko: crisp acidity. On the nose, some floral aromas round out the fruitier bouquet more typical of mainland Assyrtiko. The finish is medium-length, though not particularly complex, with the entire flavor profile dominated by citrus fruits. Interestingly, it was precisely this balance that proved somewhat polarizing among the tasters. More experienced Greece aficionados tended toward lower scores, while internationally seasoned wine drinkers were simply one thing: very satisfied. And that's ultimately what counts if you want to make Greek wine accessible to a broader audience. Despite considerable variance among the tasting panel, this earns an excellent 90 points.