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| Wines |
Article No. |
Grape varieties |
Year |
Pack. |
| Ktima Tselepos |
4611 |
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot |
2010 |
6
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| Mantinia A.O.C. |
4621 |
Moschofiléro |
2011 |
12 |
| Yiannis Tselepos has many admirers among his winemaking peers–both for his abilities as a winemaker and for his cheerful and welcoming disposition. Behind the perpetual smile, however, is a serious artisan driven to constantly raise his personal standards of quality. As a participant in the quality revolution, Tselepos is a quiet leader, a man whose wine is his sole calling card. His growth as winemaker has been characterized by steady, incremental steps towards international standards. Having crossed that line securely during the last few years, Tselepos is now one of a handful of Greek producers ready to play in the big leagues. |
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Born in Cyprus and a graduate of Dijon, Tselepos arrived in Mantinía in 1981. After working for a major negociant and developing a working knowledge of the local Moschofilero and carefully studying the soil and topography of the region, he established his own vineyards in Rizes, releasing his first wines in 1989. The site he chose is at high elevation (over 700 meters). Soil analysis indicated an underpinning of shale and was deemed particularly suitable for Gewurztraminer. Tselepos was therefore one of the first in Greece to cultivate this variety. "I didn't come here to make Gewurztraminer," he says, "but it seemed logical after we examined the soil." A long-held theory that Moschofilero was related to Traminer also contributed to his desire to experiment with the variety. |
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| The choice of additional varieties was more deliberate. There was no question of planting Moschofilero, the sole variety permitted under the Mantinia OPAP appellation. Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay were planted partly because this was the direction serious winemakers took during this era and partly because Tselepos was certain the varieties would thrive in this environment. Thrive they have, though in the case of the two red grapes, Tselepos discourages any stylistic comparisons to Bordeaux: "My stylistic philosophy is Burgundian. Our mountain environment creates red wines of even temper. This means I can afford to let the fruit stand out." |
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Mantinia A.O.C.
There are two distinct styles of Mantinía: the grayish, ethereal, aromatic kind and the golden, more terrestrial kind. The problem with the latter is that it often lacks body and middle palate substance. Tselepos is considered the master of the deep side of Moschofilero. At 12%, his has more body than many, and a pale golden yellow color, warm by regional standards. The nose exhibits more honey and less rose than most. Elegant fruit on the palate resolves to a long finish characterized by surprisingly restrained acidity. We heard countless testimony from fellow winemakers that Moschofilero "belongs" to Yiannis Tselepos.
Ktima Tselepos
Tselepos credits the mountain environment for the even temper of this 80% Cabernet, 20% Merlot blend. Clearly the effects of southern location and good Greek sun still have much effect even at the high altitude of his vineyards. 12 to 18 months in new oak does little to interfere with the remarkable round fruit his vines produce. Soft tannins and smooth texture provide a sophisticated showcase for powerful and complex berry and vegetal flavors. Both the friendliest and most sophisticated of Greek Cabernet, a wine whose relative youth is secondary to its mature handling.
Text and Photos courtesy of Nick Cobb, greekwinemakers.com |
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Antonopoulos
Averoff
Biblia Chora
Creta Olympias
Driopi
Evharis
Gerovassiliou
Harlaftis
Hatzimichalis
Kyr-Yianni
Constantin Lazaridis
Mercouri
Pavlidis
Samos Cooperative
Sigalas
Strofilià
Tselepos
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