Classic Old Word aged wine at a bargain price

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features dusty old wood, sandalwood, dried red berries, licorice, anise, black olives, champagne mushrooms and leather. Medium+ body with mild tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Similar to a Grand Reserva Rioja, but use the same glassware that you would drink a Cabernet in.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Penne with Bacon and Black Olive Sauce.

Tasted: 23 April 2016

Best buy & Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 (Sale: 9.5/10) Total: 18.5/20

Cedar colour and sandlewood at the fore, with beautiful length and complexity in Feb '21. At peak as it doesnt have the stuffing to keep improving. Old world complexity, not new modern lushness. A unique wine and nice, welcome throwback

Elegant, yet powerful. Savoury, yet fruity. Cherry, herbs, stone, leather.

Mouth watering acidity and firm tannins. Was wonderful with pan seared steak and lemon risotto.

Really pretty nose, and doesn't disappoint on the palate. A $40 Barolo type experience for $18. And can age for at least another decade? I went back and bought the last remaining 5 bottles at my LCBO. Can't wait to revisit this every few years.

The 2008 Boutari Naoussa Grande Reserve, aged in oak for two years followed by two years in bottle before release, has transcending notes of the old World's volcanic earth embraced by dried red berries, namely pomegranate and rosehip; together with subtle anise, leather and dominating dusty old wood and tobacco leaf on the nose. The palate is again dominated by minerals and dirt, yet again eloquently balanced by afore-mentioned dried red berry/fruits that are interwoven with supple spice and dusty old wood. This wine is light to medium bodied, extra-dry, aged wine; with moderate-yet good acidity, drying tannins and a long finish. This is a food friendly wine and it is a definite sipper – depending on specific taste; was excellent at least few years back to at least 4-6 years from now, but careful the fruit is drying out (cork enclosure). My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 90-91 pts – if you paid attention to the above descriptors rather than the score, than this is a wine for you – it however, will not be liked by everyone, my recommendation – excellent quality for excellent value – try it and stock up!!! Tasted in Mar/15.

See my wine recommendations readily available at the LCBO here:

http://grapeselections.com/grapeselections

or here @

http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy

Boutari's reserve Xinomavro is an excellent poor man's Barolo - poor in price point not in quality. The colour is mid ruby/garnet and the red berry and cherry fruit is still vibrant. There's oak influence, spice, smoke and minerality. Medium bodied, savoury and still fairly tannic. The tannins and medium plus acidity provide structure. Very good length. Great quality/price ratio. June 2015.

Once again, Boutari has crafted a lovely old-world red. Dried red fruits, hints of leather, fine tannin and crisp acidity bring to mind Barolo/Barbaresco. Perhaps a bit more oak noted compared to the '07, but the wood is still a bit player. Rustic? Perhaps, but in the best sense of the word. Up a buck in price, but still a steal. Fine drinking now but I suspect this should keep nicely for several years. Tasted July 2015.

I couldn't agree more with other reviewers comparing this wine to a Barolo. However, the acidity will not make it enjoyed by everyone...which is to expected with any fine old-world wine. Did not require much decanting (30 minutes will do). Tasted February 2016.