Ktima Biblia Chora — Plagios Red 2013

Even the Merlot-dominated entry-level wine from Biblia Chora is quite decent. But the single-varietal Merlot with its modern label — inspired by the film Sideways and the diagonal movement of the bishop in chess — plays in an entirely different league. The nose reveals a very refined cedar note, underpinned by ripe yet still juicy plum that never drifts into jammy territory. On the palate, a remarkably fresh cherry dominates, with darker fruits lingering in the background. At 15%, the wine fills the entire mouth, yet the alcohol is never in any way intrusive. Rather, it sits in perfect balance with a far-reaching acidity and beautifully fine tannins. A very pleasant aged sweetness transitions into a varied finish enlivened by cocoa notes. What remains is nougat and blueberry. And it lingers for a very long time. This is a Merlot that will leave little to be desired even among demanding, internationally spoiled fans of the variety. It therefore fully deserves a phenomenal 95 points. Those who wish for even more delicate aged nuances can confidently cellar this wine for another five years. The wine is available in the 2014 vintage for €19.80. Particularly lovely is the fact that the white wine from the same series is also outstanding, giving you a perfect combination of two wines from international grape varieties grown in Greece — an excellent high-quality gift.