Red Blend, 2018. Mountain Sun Semeli

Semeli is an ultra-modern facility located in the Peloponnese region of Greece. The vineyards were founded in 1979, but the winery wasn't built until 2003. It is located on a sloping mountain so the entire winemaking process is gravity fed. The grapes are brought to the top of the winery and crushed immediately. They are then transferred to barrel if necessary and finally to tanks from which they are then bottled.

This procedure is the oldest and most natural way of making wine as no pumps, thus no additional air, is transferred to the wine keeping it safer from oxidation. Obviously, this was the only way to make wine until electricity was born.

The blend here is 80% Agiorgitiko, the most planted red grape in Greece and 20% Syrah. The Agiorgitiko produces small, thick skinned grapes that can be quite dark and tannic. But, when grown in vineyards that are 2500 feet in elevation, like our selection, the wine is more approachable and elegant. Fermenting at very low temperatures allows the delicate fruit to come out of hiding.

Aging in French oak barrels further softens the wine making it approachable in its youth, yet also allowing it to further age and complex in the bottle. All this care and precision shows in the glass. The color is dark, but still lets in flecks of light with a ruby hue. Lively cherry and raspberry are evident in the nose and transpose beautifully to the palate. Serving with a classic leg of lamb in garlic and oregano would be sublime.

Reviews