Manousakis Winery — Nostos Syrah 2017

The Nostos 2017 from Manousakis Winery (PGI Chania) was one of the stars of a Syrah tasting. Yiannis Karakasis had already written about the 2014 that it was a candidate for the best Syrah in the country. And indeed, the 2017 immediately convinced on the nose with a wonderfully attractive blend of spices — matched in this tasting only by the Le Roy des Montagnes 2020 from Papargyriou Winery (Peloponnese). Except that on the palate, this wine arrives far more delicate and filigree. And finally, there was a mouthwatering touch of bacon in the mix. (The Avus 2016 from Nadir Winery is the only Greek Syrah that clearly tops that!) It really doesn't get much better than this. A phenomenal 96 points. However: the wine faded quite quickly over the following days. Whether the 2017 vintage is still drinking well at this point is unclear.