Skouras Megas Oenos Red 2019
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Parker
Robert
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Blend: 80% Agiorgitiko, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2019 Megas Oenos is the typical 80/20 blend of Agiorgitiko and Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 18 months in 50% new French oak. It comes in at 14% alcohol. The vineyard sources are at 750 meters in altitude. As is typical, this is elegant and shows finesse in the mid-palate. It is always focused and precise. It is beautifully crafted. The tannins support the fruit but don't become too hard. At the least, this will need a year of cellaring, though, and more would be helpful, for the oak issues if nothing else. The one key issue here is the oakiness. It certainly seems unduly prominent in this wine's youth, obscuring what seems to be good fruit. Yet the fruit, when it shows up, is ridiculously delicious. Coupled with the fine structure and finesse, this seems likely to get better and better. I doubt the upside here is as great as with the 9919 solera, also reviewed, but it has some. Skouras has a long track record, and this should pull in the wood better if you come back around 2025–2027. It looks like a very fine vintage of Megas Oenos with a long life ahead; it's just a bit disjointed today, so there is no need to rush. It is certainly likely to improve to some extent.
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With hundreds of red grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended red wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged resulting in a wide variety of red wine styles. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a red wine blend variety that creates a fruity and full-bodied wine would do well combined with one that is naturally high in acidity and tannins. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
How to Serve Red Wine
A common piece of advice is to serve red wine at “room temperature,” but this suggestion is imprecise. After all, room temperature in January is likely to be quite different than in August, even considering the possible effect of central heating and air conditioning systems. The proper temperature to aim for is 55° F to 60° F for lighter-bodied reds and 60° F to 65° F for fuller-bodied wines.
How Long Does Red Wine Last?
Once opened and re-corked, a bottle stored in a cool, dark environment (like your fridge) will stay fresh and nicely drinkable for a day or two. There are products available that can extend that period by a couple of days. As for unopened bottles, optimal storage means keeping them on their sides in a moderately humid environment at about 57° F. Red wines stored in this manner will stay good – and possibly improve – for anywhere from one year to multiple decades. Assessing how long to hold on to a bottle is a complicated science. If you are planning long-term storage of your reds, seek the advice of a wine professional.
A large southern region of Greece, the Peloponnese contains the famous appellations of Nemea and Mantineia. While connected to the mainland by a tiny strip of land, essentially the region is a large Mediterranean island and excels in the production of red wine from Agiorghitiko, white from Moscofilero and sweet wine from the Mavrodaphne grape.