Gaia Agiorgitiko by Gaia 2024

Gaia Wines, founded by Leon Karatsalos and Yiannis Paraskevopoulos, makes this red in Nemea, the heart of red-wine production in the Peloponnese, from the native Agiorgitiko grape. Nemea's vineyards sit on rolling slopes where elevation and warm days give Agiorgitiko deep colour and ripe fruit, while cool nights preserve its acidity and the structure that lets it age. The grape is naturally generous in fruit and moderate in tannin, and the site brings the freshness that keeps it savoury rather than jammy. After fermentation the wine spends twelve months in oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange softens the tannin and layers in cedar and spice. It is deep ruby. The nose shows ripe cherry and plum over dried herbs, black pepper and a touch of oak spice. The palate is medium to full bodied and structured, the fruit ripe but framed by fresh acidity and fine, supple tannin, carrying a long, savoury finish. This is a versatile, food-friendly Mediterranean red. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees, decanted half an hour ahead, in a large glass. It suits grilled lamb and rich tomato dishes.