Palivou Estate — Stone Hills 2021

In a comparative tasting of five cuvées made from aromatic varieties and Chardonnay, the Πέτρινες Πλαγιές – Stone Hills 2021 from Palivou Estate (PGI Peloponnes) came out on top. In the glass, it already stands out with its yellowish color and noticeably more extract. The bâtonnage really seems to make the difference here. The wine also shines because the Malagousia component doesn't display the Muscat-like notes the variety is often credited with, but instead leans toward the fruity end of the spectrum. Unlike the estate wine from Ktima Gerovassiliou, however, this doesn't put all its aromatic eggs in one basket, balanced out structurally by Assyrtiko. Rather, a whole range of different fruit aromas come together here — a colorful fruit salad of banana, orange, apricot, and pineapple. On top of that, despite only 12.5% alcohol, a rather full mouthfeel. An outstanding wine that deserves 91 points and cuts a fine figure both as a food companion and on its own.