Kir-Yianni Naoussa Xinomavro 2020

"The 2020 Naoussa Cuvée Villages is all Xinomavro aged for 12 months in used and mostly French oak (with 25% American). It comes in at 14.1% alcohol. A little earthy, but mostly ripe and concentrated, this soaks up the moderate tannins rather easily. It seems impeccably balanced and rather accessible today. There's just a bit of bite on the finish. Meanwhile, reasonable freshness cuts through the oak and lifts the fruit to some extent. If it sometimes seems a bit slight in mouthfeel, I'd also call that mid-palate finesse. It is ultimately a wine that seems refined as well as nuanced, a very civilized version of an entry-level Xinomavro. It should hold well at least for the rest of the decade, and it may yet improve a bit more. This is a nice bargain, although I'm less sure it will reward long aging. At worst, it's a perfect food wine now and over the next several years with a Nebbiolo feel to it."