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Red
750ml - Case of 3
Bottle: $172.90
The 2016 Ampio delle Mortelle needs time to shed some of its considerable power. Red cherry, plum, licorice and dried...
VM
93
WE
93
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Red
750ml - Case of 3
Bottle: $139.95
This has a perfumed nose of licorice, blueberries, blackcurrants, blackberries, mocha and dried flowers. Kumquat,...
JS
95
VM
94
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Red
750ml - Case of 3
Bottle: $223.87
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Red
750ml - Case of 3
Bottle: $258.45
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $58.62
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $64.45
The plush texture envelops black cherry, black currant and plum flavors, backed by a strict spine of acidity and...
WS
92
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $98.93
This is really dense and structured, yet there’s energy and agility throughout. Full-bodied, yet agile and firm....
JS
94
WS
93
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $76.42
Profound nose here with chili chocolate and sandalwood beneath the sweet blackberry background. A hint of violets,...
JS
96
VM
95
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $71.47
Fascinating aromas of blackcurrants, orange peel, stone, minerals and blanched walnuts follow through to a medium to...
JS
95
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $57.87
Wonderful aromas of Mediterranean flowers such as rosemary and lavender with red fruits such as plums and cherries....
JS
94
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $164.94
The 2005 Isola dei Nuraghi Turriga is incredibly primary at this stage. This dark, textured Turriga reveals...
WA
93
WE
90
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $43.84
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $43.40
This has aromas of cherry stones, slate, pine cones, lemon peel and oyster shells. Tightly knit, firm tannins here,...
JS
95
WE
92
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $568.44
A new dimension in Etna red that belongs in the highest league of Italian and global wines. Enveloping floral,...
JS
99
WA
94
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Red
1.5Ltr - Case of 3
Bottle: $256.95
An enticing red, with aromas of clove, cardamom, crushed pine and dried tea rose drawing you into the glass, where...
WS
93
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $135.77
An enticing red, with aromas of clove, cardamom, crushed pine and dried tea rose drawing you into the glass, where...
WS
93
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Red
750ml - Case of 3
Bottle: $251.95
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $397.55
WS
95
WA
93
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $715.20
Very bright with sweet plums, cherries and some flowers. Clarity in the nose here. Medium-bodied with chewy, fine...
JS
96
WS
94
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Red
750ml - Case of 3
Bottle: $251.95
This is a phenomenal, tiny-production red made mostly from colorino and canaiolo grapes. It has an amazing density...
JS
99
WS
93

Italian Red Blends Mavrodaphne Passito Pre-Arrival

In the Archaea region, high in the Northern Peloponnese mountains, the predominant grape varietal grown is the prized Mavrodaphne. Meaning 'Black Laurel', the Mavrodaphne grapes have extremely dark skins, and ripen slowly under the Greek sunshine, helped by the mineral rich soils the vines thrive in. This grape varietal is mostly used to produce the opaque, inky fortified wine of the same name, which is popular all over Greece and elsewhere in the world. This fortified wine allows the grapes to really show off their complex and fascinating flavors, which range from a rich marzipan to flavors of bitter chocolate, sweet coffee, dried figs and prunes, as well as plenty of jammy fruit notes.

Mavrodaphne is produced in a traditional method which involves leaving the grape juice exposed to the sun in large vats, before having its fermentation halted by the addition of various distillates taken from previous successful vintages. This mixture contains plenty of residual sugar, which gives the end result its characteristic sticky sweetness, and also helps with the next fermentation process, which typically takes place in large underground cellars. The final product is a heady drink, absolutely bursting with unusual, rich and sweet flavors and carried in a dark and slightly viscous Port-like liquid.

Mavrodaphne grapes are also used for the production of still red wines, but are generally blended with varietals such as Agiorgitiko or imported grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon. Mavrodaphne grapes are excellent for mellowing more acidic varieties, and producing deliciously rounded wines, which have taken the international market by storm in recent decades.

Additional Information on Greek Wines


Greek Wines
Ancient Greek Wines – A Brief History of Wine in Greece
The Myth of Dionysus, Greek God of Wine
What is Retsina?