Alpha Estate, Florina (Greece) Tannat 2009

Owner/winemaker Angelos Iatridis worked in Madiran before returning to his native Greece, and that’s where he got the clones for this wine. I’m typing this note after returning from Uruguay, where Tannat is the best variety, and I wonder if he should have taken his clones from there instead. This is an earthy wine with a big body, big tannins, just big. I can see why Iatridis is interested in Tannat here: The aroma of ripe dark plum, cigar and fresh flowers is interesting. But it doesn’t have the minerality on the palate of Alpha’s best wines. Perhaps more time will make it more interesting, but I doubt it will ever reach the heights here that Xinomavro does. 14.5% alcohol.