Ktima Papaioannou Terroir Agiorgitiko
Before E&M left Turkey they had a going a way party that really was just a ‘eat and drink whatever is still around’ party. Included in that were a few bottles of Greek wine they’d picked up while there visiting family.
Estate Papaoiannou
This Terroir Agiorgitiko comes from Ktima Papaioannou. An organic vineyard, Ktima Papaioannou’s vineyards are located in the AO (Appellation of Origin) of Nemea. They grow a fairly wide variety of both native and international grapes including: Agiorgitiko, Cabernet Sauvignon, Roditis, Assyrtiko, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot, Touriga, Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, and Petit Verdot.
The Terroir Agiorgitiko is a limited edition wine with only 4,500 bottles produced. It spent two years in oak and another in the bottle before going on the market. A high quality wine, it can age for another 10 years beyond its release date (i.e. until 2017). So having drunk it at the tail end of 2016 we got to it just before it would (theoretically) start to decline.
Before I jump into the tasting notes…Agiorgitiko? Like Öküzgözü and Bogazkere weren’t difficult enough? You could and call it by its 
more pronounceable alternative name: St. George. But once you get the hang of it it’s not all that difficult. Agiorgitiko is one of Greece’s most ubiquitous red wine grapes so learning how to get your tongue around the name is a good place to start if you’re exploring the Greek wine industry:
Ah-yor-YEE-te-ko
Ktima Papaioannou Terroir Agiorgitiko 2004 Tasting Notes
The Terroir Agiorgitiki is an intense wine. Everything from the deep garnet red color to the alcohol level (14% abv) clamors for attention. The nose is a sensuous dance of cherry syrup, chocolate, and nutmeg with a depth of oak. Elegant and balanced with silky tannins and a long finish the flavors melt together like a chocolate covered cherry.
My very first trip to Greece did not leave me with an overly favorable impression of Greek wine. As in any country table wine is a world away from thoughtfully-made quality wine. After trying more and more of these I am quickly becoming a fan of Greek wine.