2023 Alpha Estate Xinomavro Hedgehog Vineyard

Full bottle 1,383 g. Vines at 620–710 m. Hand-harvested, cold soak, fermented in tank, on lees for 8 months and aged 12 months in French oak and 12 months in bottle. TA 6.03 g/l, pH 3.55. Certified vegan.
Light to mid garnet. Open and inviting aroma of dark-red fruit and wild, non-sweet red fruits, just slightly peppery and very pure. The oak is present but subtle and shows in a smoothing of the texture rather than an oaky taste or smell. Tannins are youthful yet already fine-grained – there’s real tannic finesse here. Bone dry, harmonious and likely to improve with a little more time in the bottle though the fruit is delicious now if that is how you prefer your reds. Just a slight impression of oak sweetness and spice on the finish but very subtle. GV for a wine with a long life ahead as well as being delicious now. 17 points