I was very curious about this label. A review by – Grand Master “Yoda” Jedi of wine – Jancis Robinson caught my attention last winter, summing it up as : “complex, distinctive and interesting” and placing it at top 25 choices of her, in 2012. So it was last July, when shopping in a supermarket, a -40% (!) promo brought it in my wine fridge.

The name of the wine is inspired by the aromas of the bloomed vineyards in spring, in the regions of Agios Vasilios, Houdetsi, Kalloni (Geographical indication: PDO Peza, Crete)

The vines are mostly over 15 years old, at an altitude of over 400m, in hillside vineyards of argil clay and of good draining. Yields are limited to an average of 5000kg/ha.

Typical red vinification, and matured for 12 months in new French and American barrels of 225lt and 300lt. Total number of bottles: 35.000

Tasting Notes: Dark ruby color with some purple hints. Very expressive and intense nose, mostly of sweet spices and dry fruits (typical of Kotsifali), along with black cherries. Oak is evident mainly with vanilla and secondary with some smoke. Mouth is fruity, balanced (medium+ acidity) and rounded, with medium lasting aftertaste. Tannins are plenty and almost rounded (need some more time)

Already enjoyable, but with such strong fruit and tannins, it will evolve nicely for the following 3 – 5 years.

Paired nicely with a tuna red sauce pasta.

Grape: 80% Kotsifali & 20% Mandilaria

Alcohol: 13%

Retail price in Greece: about 10 euros / 13$

Score: 88

Value for money: Excellent

Winery website: www.mediterrawines.gr