Para…kopois – Nissou Methi Rosé 2019

This rosé from the Para…kopois winery on the Cycladic island of Syros brings together 80% of the indigenous grape variety Serfiotiko with 20% Kountoura(s)/(black) Mandilaria. Ironically, if produced in Germany, a wine made from red-skinned – "grey" / "gris" – grape varieties like these would have to be declared as "white."

On the nose, the rosé presents a lovely strawberry note and a surprising amount of exotic fruit, especially papaya. Beyond that, the nose suggests plenty of minerality and some vegetal aromas as well. On the palate, the flavor profile turns out to be relatively complex – with plenty of acidity and a hint of mint trailing into the finish. Throughout all of this, though, the wine's structure clearly takes center stage – with decidedly assertive tannins. Over time, those tannins do come across as somewhat rustic, which means this wine really shines best as a food companion. A very exciting wine discovery – it's already an very good wine in its own right, deserving of 89 points.