WTN: Pomerol & Mt. Athos

A bloody steak and a young Bordeaux or Madiran is a lovely dinner. Château La Fleur-Pétrus 2004 (Pomerol; 13,5%; way-too-many €) was a delightful wine from the Mouiex stable. The nose is classic Pomerol in its mix of dark, plummy fruit and brighter but sweet red tones. I love the slight fresh greenish note (from the Cab F I presume) and I love the wet clay aromas, too. It is strong on the fruit aromas now but has further dimensions, too - and best of all, shows little signs of wood (Peppercorn's old book says they use only 30% new wood). Full bodied, ripe but not over-ripe, sweet but not heavy, refreshing and tannic. I found this to be a very satisfying wine.

Evangelos Tsantalis Mt. Athos Vineyards Metochi Chromitsa (Domaine of Monastery Agios Panteleimon) 2004 (Vin de Pays Agioritikos (sic!) / Agioritikos topikos (w)oinos (I always did like the digamma, lol!)) was quite an interesting wine. A bit oaky on the nose at first, but it cleared up to become bright and lingonberried. The palate was darker toned and deliciously bitter (and reminded me of the few Italian Negroamaros I've had), and really needed fatty cheeses to work. Tamed rusticity. Nice!



-Otto

Thanks for the TNs Otto,

Don't know the Greek wine but it sounds interesting.

La Fleur-Petrus used to be a favourite of mine but it's some time since I have had one. Not much Cabernet Franc in it [10% in the vineyard] but perhaps the 04 blend was higher.

I can't remember it ever being oaky but things have changed so much in recent years. Of course it's not a one-way street because e.g. in Chablis there has been a major cut back in oak by top people like Fevre. I hear that in the Loire a notable CF producer, Thierry Germain, who had revved up the new oak, has just decided to cut right back too.

Still, the TN sounded familiar. Oh yes and I remember why it has been some time - the price - like so many others.

Evangelos Tsantalis Mt. Athos Vineyards Metochi Chromitsa (Domaine of Monastery Agios Panteleimon) 2004

This is the only vineyard I know of in the world where women are not able to visit! Anyone know of any others?

Tsantali - one of the big, but generally reliable Greek wine companies, lease the vineyards from the monks of Mount Athos - an enclosed area, which is strictly out of bounds for women - apparently many have tried to get in there, but all have failed. For more details see:
http://www.tsantali.gr/wineareas.php?_lang=en&_wa=2

After I visited Northern Greece on a wine trip, I wrote an article for http://www.wine-pages.com (modesty in this case forbids me giving the complete link - you'll find it if you want to), and I received a rather strongly worded email to say that I was being disrespectful, which I never intended - I just liked the story of the place and wanted to give them some publicity!

I like some Agiorgitikos wines (known often as simply St-George) but haven't tried this one for several years. Enjoyed the 'Tamed rusticity' comment, Otto!

La Fleur-Petrus used to be a favourite of mine but it's some time since I have had one. Not much Cabernet Franc in it [10% in the vineyard] but perhaps the 04 blend was higher.

The green note was slight, but I find that even 10% Cab F brings a freshness and lift to a Merlot. I remembered Peppercorn writing that Cab F is 25% of the vineyard - must check again when I get home. Is 10% a recent figure?

Wink, thanks for the links - I enjoyed the report on wine-pages (and all the Jurassic stuff, too). NB: this wasn't from the Agiorgitikos-grape but from the geographical area Agioritikos (one less "g"). The grapes, from your link, are Xinomavro, Limnio, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache Rouge and Merlot.

-Otto