Domaine Hatzimichalis – Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

The Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 from Domaine Hatzimichalis (PGI Atalanti), tasted as part of a varietal Cabernet Sauvignon lineup, proudly advertises 20 years of cellaring potential on its label. The Domaine holds a pioneering role in Greek winemaking when it comes to producing single-varietal wines. After a quarter of the promised maturation period, the wine is already showing aromatically that it's well on its way to maturity. So if you have bottles lying in the cellar, you should probably give them another try around the ten-year mark. The tannin structure will certainly carry the wine beyond that point as well. However, the acidity is a touch lacking, which tempers any truly grand optimism – and it also slightly hinders the wine's drinkability and flow. Still, this is undoubtedly a very delicious wine that stands out from the crowd with its rich, heavy aromas – dark berries and above all dark chocolate. Currently an excellent 91+ points. And who knows – in five years it might score even higher. In any case, the wine has the staying power to leave the analogous Penfolds product far behind after a few days of being open.