Gerovassiliou 2019 Ktima Red Blend 750ml

John's Take: One of the only wines with international varietals Syrah, Limnio and Merlot. But it's so darn tasty we had to bring it in. 

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The 2019 Estate Red is a blend of 60% Syrah and 20% each of Merlot and Limnio, all aged in 10% new French barriques for one year. It comes in at 14% alcohol. A fairly big vintage here, but not ponderous, this seems tightly wound in terms of structure and demeanor but concentrated in terms of fruit. It does seem a bit burly in its youth, not always the one you'll look to for finesse, but there is a lot of nuanced fruit and a somewhat earthy rather than fruity demeanor. Overall, this is impressive on most fronts, but it could use another six to 12 months to come around and acquire a little more harmony. It might be better in the summer of 2023. That's not to say it is unapproachable, since there is little astringency, but give it a little time if you can. It should hold throughout the decade, more or less.

-- Mark Squires, The Wine Advocate, 2022

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Vangelis Gerovassiliou was born in Epanomi to a farming and grape-growing family. Following his studies at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki's School of Agriculture, he specialised in Oenology, Viticulture, Wine-Tasting and the Technology of Wine-making equipment at the University of Bordeaux in France. During his studies, he was a collaborator of University of Bordeaux Professor Emile Peynaud and took part in his team, which was carrying out wine-tastings at the famous Chateaux of France.  From 1976 to the beginning of 1999 he worked as an oenologist at Domaine Porto Carras, where some of the most renowned wines of Greece were produced. It was there that he first vinified, revived and rescued from oblivion the long-forgotten Greek variety of Malagousia.  In 1981, urged by his love, knowledge and experience in vine-growing and fine wines, Vangelis Gerovassiliou began to renovate the family vineyard and created the Ktima Gerovassiliou.