RKS Wine: Greek Cabernet Sauvignon: More to Greek Red Wine than Xinomavro

I curl up in a ball of apprehension when Greek Xinomavro’s are released. They are dry and astringent like an immature Barolo but give an Xinomavro 8 years in the bottle my apprehension melts as it has aged as it should. By the way a sparkling Xinomavro can be a real treat.

As for Greek Cabernet Sauvignon we get so little of it here in Ontario it is hard to give an overall comment about that grape in the hands of Greek wineries. So we take a shot in the dark with a budget Synastry Cabernet Sauvignon from Zacharias in the Peloponnese.

On the nose sleekness. Some blueberry, black cherry and red currants all very lean. On the palate tannins are minimal. Brackish and faintly bitter with dilute red fruit. At this price there is far better value in Portugal and southern France. If I may make a comparison to lacklustre Niagara Cabernet Sauvignon I would. If you were to buy pair with authentic Greek Gyros or souvlaki with fries tucked into it. The wine has as much charm as a fire sale of Greek state assets to German, French and Chinese commercial interests to pay down its debt.

(Zacharias Synastry Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, PDO Peloponnese, $14.95, Liquor Control Board of Ontario 647479, 750 mL, 13.5%, RKS Wine Rating 79/100).