Thymiopoulos Xinomavro

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Thymiopoulos Xinomavro

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This is fabulous. It’s made by Apostolos Thymiopoulos for Marks & Spencer from biodynamically managed vineyards, and it’s a wonderfully approachable, drinkable example of the lovely Xinomavro grape variety, one of Greece’s most interesting.

Think of Xinomavro as the Nebbiolo of Italy. That’s the sort of flavour profile you get, albeit with slightly less intense tannic structure. This wine, I suspect, is very similar to the Thymiopoulos young vines cuvee that The Wine Society stock. The M&S website doesn’t yet have this vintage on its pages, but it is in store.

Thymiopoulos Xinomavro 2012 Trilofos, Naoussa, Greece
13.5% alcohol. Lovely cherry and herb nose is very fine with beguiling red fruits, herbs and liqourice. The palate shows red cherries, plums, spice, leather and herbs, with sweet fruit combining with a strongly savoury dimension. Lovely wine. 91/100 (£10.50 Marks & Spencer)

3 Comments on Thymiopoulos XinomavroTagged ,
wine journalist and flavour obsessive

3 thoughts on “Thymiopoulos Xinomavro

  1. Must admit I was disappointed by both the M&S and young vines version of this xinomavro. Both were similar with bags of soft easy sweet ripe fruit but no structure to hang it on. If they’re like Italian Nebbiolo it’s very much the new wave variety which (for me) also sacrifice balance and restraint for easy sweet fruit.

    I would however like to try Thymiopoulos’s more expensive Earth and Sky cuvee from Berry Bros which apparently has more restraint, grip and structure. It’s double the price but sounds like it would be money well spent.

  2. M&S & TWS versions are different cuvées from different vines.
    Paul – Earth & Sky also available at TWS

  3. I LOVE the TWS version – best value wine at £11 or so that there is, IMO. I don’t agree at all that it is soft easy and sweet, but a proper wine at a low price. Must try this one some time (though of course they won’t have it around here!)

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