Theotoky Estate — Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

The red estate wine from Theotoky Estate on the island of Corfu stands out markedly in a lineup of varietal Cabernet Sauvignon. At 12.5% alcohol in the 2019 vintage, this wine is flying at alcoholic low altitudes otherwise only reached by wines from Cavino that are decades older. The 2018 vintage, at a mere 11.5% alcohol, even managed to impress Yiannis Karakasis with 88 points as the 'lightest rendition of this grape anywhere.' On the nose, this organic wine comes across as quite wild; with a bit more air, leather emerges too. On the palate, this wine — which you could easily mistake for a Pinot Noir based on its color — turns out to be quite fruity, strongly reminiscent of redcurrant in its aromatics, acidity, and tannins. It only vaguely recalls Cabernet Sauvignon, and Greece not at all. At a mere 50 meters above sea level, such a fresh wine is inevitably bought at the price of early harvesting and correspondingly green notes. If you're absolutely set on finding a Greek Cabernet Sauvignon that you can serve with fish, this is an excellent choice. A very good 84 points.