Fteri Vinum Winery — Viale die Parioli 44 2020

As part of a tasting of Agiorgitiko cuvées, the 2020 Viale die Parioli 44 from Fteri Vinum Winery (PGI Arkadien) was tasted. Agiorgitiko and Merlot are blended in a 1:1 ratio. On the nose, very typical Agiorgitiko aromatics emerge, leaning more toward the floral than the fruity spectrum. At first, there's an impression of high alcohol, which quickly turns out to be deceptive given the actual 12.5% — it's actually down to very pronounced rum aromas. On the palate, the wine is rather restrained; the Merlot barges in early with dark olive notes, and the fruit remains subdued. There's also a slightly metallic aftertaste. All in all, though, this is already a very solid 85+ points. There's a suspicion that this wine will improve with some bottle age. In its current state, it's marked by a somewhat exaggerated seriousness that doesn't exactly invite joyful drinking. It remains to be seen whether this surprisingly opaque wine — remarkable for a Merlot-Agiorgitiko cuvée — will open up its aromas with more maturity.