Ktima Biblia Chora — Biblia Chora Red 2019

The combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Agiorgitiko is a classic Greek twist on the Bordeaux blend. In the version from Ktima Biblia Chora — the red sibling of their well-known white wine — the 45% Merlot (40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Agiorgitiko) places this firmly on the right bank of the Gironde and Dordogne.

On the nose, the fruit is rather restrained. Smoky notes dominate, leaning more towards ash, though in a very pleasant way. Gradually, gooseberry and currant aromas begin to unfold. On the palate, red currant and cornelian cherry take center stage, accompanied by a very attractive — almost blood-like — minerality. The Merlot clearly dominates the mouthfeel and makes for a very enjoyable drinking experience. The tannins are already quite soft. The current vintage is indeed already drinking well right now. On the finish, it shows surprising length for an entry-level wine.

That said, at around €16.70 the price is already on the higher side. Then again, a wine of comparable quality from Bordeaux would cost considerably more. An outstanding cuvée at 92 points. It would be very exciting to revisit this one after ten years.