Domaine Tatsis Goumenissa '09

An incredible expression of aged Xinomavro and Negoska from Goumenissa, nestled in the heart of Macedonia - is the sort of place that unfurls a rich tapestry of history and cultural tradition for anyone willing to spend some time.

For centuries, it was a hub of silk production, where families would cultivate their own silkworms to generate the necessary material. Likewise, it has a long history of agriculture, not only grapevines, but also wheat and cotton. Fittingly for an area so rooted to its natural environment, there is also a rich tradition of folk music, with hundreds of local musicians participating in Chalkina, or brass bands.

The wine, too, brings with it a complex, Earthy generosity, courtesy of the brothers Stergios in the cellar and Pericles in the vineyard, ensuring organic vineyard management with biodynamic techniques, as well as native yeast fermentations - an old school approach to bring out the soul of the region. Bright berry fruit shares space with dried fig, with dried herbs and an elegant balsamic note, that still has a good bite of acidity and positively velvety tannins.