2022 Thymiopoulos Earth & Sky Xinomavro, Naoussa Macedonia

It has a dark red color, with orange highlights. The classic aromas of the variety are distinguished, with the tomato and forest fruits starring and wood, spices and vanilla in the backround. Explosive mouthfeel with glaring but polite tannins and the ideal acidity in a really long-lasting aftertaste.

Apostolos Thymiopoulos is without a doubt the rising star of Naoussa. His vines, cultivated according to biodynamic methods at an altitude of 180m in the southern sector of the appellation, are blessed with a good amount of sunshine.

The terrain is comprised of Naoussa’s most geologically complex soils, made of lime-rich marlstone, schist and granite. Thymiopoulos focuses on expressing the freshness of the grapes and giving each vintage a unique signature. He shuns filtering and extraction and his wines are aged in vats and barrels the old-fashioned way.

Apostolos Thymiopoulos is Greece's best red winemaker - a master of the Xinomavro grape variety in all its styles (many of which he pioneered). The core of the range is a series of Xinomavros from Naoussa, each of which offers a unique take on this world-class grape variety. The entry-level Jeunes Vignes is one of the best value wines to be found anywhere - a joyful, juicy red designed for early drinking. Earth & Sky, from older vines, is the flagship - the wine that more than any other has cemented Thymiopoulos' (and Xinomavro's) reputation for excellence around the world. At the top of the tree are three single site Naoussas from old vines - Kayafas, Aftorizo and Vrana Petra. These are outstanding by any measure, and comparisons with top Barolo are fully justified. The rest of the range continues to grow - his Rapsani from the foothills of Mount Olympus is superb, and his ageworthy Rosé de Xinomavro is one of the most complex and compelling rosés you will ever taste. Across all the wines, his signature style of silky, elegant tannins and beautiful balance shine through.