Samartzis Mouhtaro, 14.5%, 0.75 L

Classification – dry red wine, PGI Thebes.

Grape variety – Mouhtaro 100%.

Vineyard – single “Papanikolas” vineyard on the southern slopes of Mount Helicon in the Muses Valley, at approximately 380–420 m, on clay and gravel soils. The vineyard is non-irrigated.

Vinification – a low-intervention, handmade wine. Hand-harvested grapes are fermented with indigenous yeasts in open 300–500 L oak casks with manual pigeage, followed by gentle pressing in a traditional vertical press. Malolactic fermentation is completed in barrel, and the wine matures for approximately 10–12 months in 300–500 L oak barrels before bottling unfiltered.

Appearance – deep dark ruby.

Aroma – black cherry and blackberry, with violet, vanilla, chocolate, cocoa and sweet cinnamon spice.

Palate – full-bodied, rich and layered, with vibrant acidity, rounded tannins, concentrated dark fruit, chocolate and spice, and a very long finish.

Food pairing – slow-cooked beef or lamb, game, mushroom-rich dishes and mature hard cheeses.

Serving temperature – 16–18 °C.