Kir-Yianni "Ramnista" Naoussa Xinomavro 2018

James Suckling : 92 Points

(9/6/2022) A firm and spicy red with sliced-plum, white-pepper and crushed-stone aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with crisp and lightly tannined finish. Delicious now.

Wine Advocate : 90+ Points

(8/25/2022) The 2018 Ramnista, all Xinomavro, was aged for 16 months in 30% new 5,000-liter French casks (but for a 5% dollop of American wood). It comes in at 15.1% alcohol. This is a deep, ripe and relatively rich Ramnista, but underneath, it is still Ramnista. There is some power and some grip on the finish. The fruit shows some character too, not just ripeness. Still, if you like the fresher more focused styles, this is a wine that leans more to its fruit. Even so, it is beautifully textured and lingers nicely on the finish. The baked cherries are still very tasty. It seems full-bodied and able to hold up to stronger foods this year. Overall, I wound up liking this a lot, but the ultimate test of this wine is going to be how it acquires complexity as it ages. Xinomavro holds well, and this should do some 20 years from the vintage date, but how gracefully it ages will be the better question. For now, it can be drunk even today. That won't be the best this wine has to offer you, though. A little patience will serve you and it well over the next few years. Drink Date: 2022 - 2038.