Silva Daskalaki Winery – Enstikto Red 2015

The Enstikto Red 2015 from Silva Daskalaki Winery is a blend of 70% Kotsifali and 30% Syrah, aged for one year in new French oak barrels – the standard procedure at the estate since this 2015 vintage. And what a wine of character this is! The nose offers a mélange of dark fruits, ripe plums, and a hint of tar. Despite the deep, dark color, one's mind immediately jumps to Nebbiolo. On the palate, the wine displays incredible density. The grippy tannins reinforce this impression of coating the entire mouth. A magnificent 94 points are undoubtedly deserved here. Perhaps even more could have been on the cards, were it not for a slight dip following the great concentration of aromas on the attack – though the bottle recovers over time, which saves the score. Above all, with increasing air exposure, the finish pushes to the fore with highly distinctive aromas reminiscent of wet hemp rope, turning the wine into a long-lasting flavor experience. In a direct comparison, the Enstikto goes a clear step beyond the likewise outstanding Sera from the same vintage (92 points). A vertical tasting would be a worthwhile project to fully explore the quality potential here – what was in the glass was already very impressive indeed.