Alpha Estate Red Blend 2003

Winemaker's Notes:

Tasting Notes: Amyndeon highlands. Mild slopes of northwestern exposure.Linear, privately owned vineyard of 33ha, situated at an altitude of 620-710 m. Irrigation system: RDI.Bright, deep ruby colour with purple hints. Rich and intricate bouquet, earthy, dominated by leather and cherry brandy aromas, with a peppery and plumy background. Generous, full-bodied, chewy, robust wine with a velvety taste, and vanilla, wood, mocha and toffee hints. Slightly tannic finish with a long persistence of aromas. Percentage Grape: Xinomavro 20% - Syrah 60% - Merlot 20% Soil: Sandy-sandyclay of an excellent drainage Growing Climate: Semi-continental with important precipitations, even snowfall in winter. Hot, rather dry summer, with cool nights. Year-long northwestern winds. Absence of spring frost. Date of Harvest: Merlot: 8 September, Syrah: 15 September, Xinomavr Type of Harvest: Manual harvest Vinification Length: 21 days Vinification Method: Destemming, no crushing, enzymatic prefermentation skin contact under controlled conditions, alcoholic fermentation at graduated temperatures, maintenance of wine "sur lie" for three months with regular stirring. Vinification Temperature: 23 - 29 oC Percentage New Barrel: 100% Age of Barrel: 1 wine Type of Wood: Extra fine grain Level of Toast: Medium Malolactic: Yes Color Intensity: 16,80 Fining Collage: none Date of Bottling: 2004/06/21 Bottle Type: Saver glass - Paradis type Alcohol Percentage: 13.7 % PH: 3,50 Aging Potential: 15 years Aging Time: 8- 9 months Potassium: 650 Sugar Rate: 0-5 g/l Total Acidity: 6,9 g/l (as tartaric acid) Free SO2: 19 Cork Material: natural cork flower Cork Size: 49 mm