Thymiopoulos Blanc des Côteaux Cuvée Amphore 2020

Apostolos Thymiopoulos' brilliant Xinomavros are among Greece's most renowned wines. He has mastered the grape variety like nobody else. But his talent doesn't stop there. Blanc des Côteaux is something entirely new - his first premium white wine. It is 50% Malagousia, 25% Assyrtiko, 20% Vidiano and 5% Aidani, all from Naoussa. The Vidiano and Aidani are fermented in clay amphorae, and everything is given around five days of skin contact. The colour is a beautiful lemon-gold, and the aroma is all gorgeous apricot and orange. On the palate, there are light tannins and more mouthwatering orange and apricot fruit. This is a delicious, beautifully balanced wine from a winemaker at the top of his game.

Smoky, spicy, unique! Smoky and a little bit toasty. Rich in sour apricot and bitter orange. Lightly tannic and so fresh. Toasty, spicy. Full in the mouth and so fresh. Tannic but balanced by the fruit. Volume, freshness, structure and fruit all in harmony.

17.5 points

Julia Harding MW, 25/10/2022