Liappas Winery — Roggia Red 2014

This cuvée of the international grape varieties Syrah and Merlot arrives in the glass comparatively pale — so much so that you might almost think of a Spätburgunder. Since the label bears no vintage year and the color itself shows no signs of aging whatsoever, on the first sip you'd easily guess this to be a good off-dry wine. That this impression is solely due to the alcohol coming sweetly to the fore as the acidity recedes into the background is hard to believe at a rather moderate 13%. This impression is further supported by a strong strawberry and mocha aromatic profile. A wine that didn't convince me on the first sip — but after a fifth glass and a second Bordeaux from the 1990 vintage, the guests enjoyed it so much that one has to award an excellent 89 points.