Domaine Hatzimichalis — Alfega Red 2017

When Greek wineries try their hand at Bordeaux blends, they typically add a Greek touch by including Agiorgitiko alongside Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. You see this, for example, in the entry-level reds from Domaine Lazaridi, Ktima Biblia Chora, and Katogi Averoff. In contrast, the red Alfega from Domaine Hatzimichalis doesn't shy away from a direct comparison with Bordeaux. Alongside the aforementioned French grape varieties, Cabernet Franc plays a rather prominent role here — at 40%, on equal footing with its better-known offspring Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2017 vintage of the Alfega Rot shows pleasant smoky aromas on the nose. The 14.5% alcohol isn't bothersome in this case. On the palate, however, it does push itself quite noticeably to the foreground once the temperature enters the critical range. Served a bit cooler, though, you have a really lovely wine with a very fruity attack. The finish isn't excessively long, but a fine tannin structure still carries it quite far. The label promises an aging potential of 15 years. And indeed: there's really no reason to open this bottle just yet. The wine can certainly handle another 5 years with ease and will likely improve further, gaining in complexity. As it stands, the wine is already well worth 89+ points. That's not exactly reaching for the stars. But one shouldn't forget: this wine is available for under €10. And at that price, it plays in a league where it already leaves some a Cru Bourgeois behind. An impressive proof of just how far Greek wines have come, especially in this segment.