Muses Winery – Clio, The Red Muse 2018

Tasted as part of a lineup of Agiorgitiko cuvées, the Clio, The Red Muse 2018 from Muses Winery (PGI Zentralgriechenland) is a very successful example of an uncomplicated Merlot-Agiorgitiko blend. Merlot takes the lead here at 60%, but still leaves plenty of aromatic room for the Agiorgitiko. Light at 12.5%, the cherry aromatics are more precise here, and combined with nougat notes it's simply quite delicious – even if not terribly complex. In this more quaffable style, though, this is certainly a success – and interestingly, even at the far edge of the producer's suggested drinking window of 2–4 years, it comes across as remarkably lively. An excellent 89 points – and it was emptied very quickly, which at well under €10 doesn't exactly create a major problem.