From the hills of Macedonia, northern Greece. It is situated an hour's drive west of the regional capital Thessaloniki and in 1971 was given appellation status and paved way for rest of Greece. The classic Naoussa wine is a structured, savory red made exclusively from Macedonia's flagship red-wine grape Xynomavro.
"Xinomavro is reminiscent of Nebbiolo, that magnificent Piedmont variety. Still, the similarities of Xinomavro to the latter do not stop at that. Its ruby colour; its magical bouquet which includes anything from violets to olive paste and from tomatoes to smoke and blackcurrants; its mouth replete with acidity and high alcoholic content; and its aggressive tannins have rightfully earned him the sobriquet of "Greek Nebbiolo”.
Most unusually, this gorgeous Greek red has won consistently enthusiastic tasting notes for every single vintage, from 2011 to 2022.
What I like about this wine is its beguiling (but not simple) raspberry fruit on the nose and front palate and then the way it finishes with a slightly astringent note of cinders. It’s not unlike Nebbiolo in build". Jancis Robertson MW
