Wine Advocate 93+
"The 2019 Xinomavro Ecosystem Reserve Vielles Vignes Barba Yannis Single Block was aged for 24 months in new French barriques and comes in at 14.3% alcohol. The "old vines" references ungrafted bush vines from 1919. In its typically refined style, this shows moderate tannins for support, silky texture and a precise finish. It is always elegant. What it lacks in its youth is the character that expresses the grape better, and that today is due to the new wood that the winery sometimes likes a little too much. Despite how approachable this is, the quality of the fruit and the prominence of the wood make it necessary to age for a few years. Many will like it fine just now, but giving it some time to develop and pull in the wood will be helpful. This is a vintage with some potential. In different styles and vintage conditions, I've liked many about the same given different pros and cons. Often, the question there is how it is going to age and rise above the wood. This seems to have a good chance of doing just that, but it may also have a ceiling. This is one I'd bet on."

Tasting Notes
"A savory xinomavro with superb drinkability. Mediterranean spices, sage and thyme on top of the strawberries and red plums. Bright and succulent on the palate with immaculate, chalky tannins. Linear and juicy finish. Vegan."

This wine is awesome. Do what you have to do to find this wine. Seriously, whatever you have to do. It is so balanced that if you dont understand balance, sip this and youll know. The acidity is perfect, letting the calm tart fruit of the wine sing while not being overwhelming. If you have ever had a Barolo, then this wine will be very familiar on the palate but it won't cause you to empty your bank account the way Barolo's of this wine's caliber do. Its at a great price and is drinking very well right now. Go get it!

The Wine
Located in Macedonia in northwestern Greece, Alpha Estate has been creating delicious, sustainably made wines since 1997. This wine practically defines balance: The acidity is nearly perfect, letting the tart fruit flavors sing without overwhelming the palate; the texture is rich yet refreshing and not overly tannic; and it hugs the palate with notes of fruit and pepper. With flavors similar to Barolo, but at a much better value, this wine can be enjoyed now or aged in your cellar for a few more years. Either way, it is sure to be a memorable one.

The Wine
100 Xinomavro from 88-year-old vines planted en gobelet in sand at 660m altitude. Destemmed and fermented after cold soak in tank. 18-24 months elevage in French barrels.

The Estate
Alpha Estate is located in the heart of the Amyndeon, a wine region in the Northwest of Greece. The estates vineyards cover 65 hectares situated on a plateau between 620 and 710 meters above sea level. The soil is sandy clay, ideal for water drainage.

Alpha Estate is presided over by Angelo Iatridis, considered by many to be Greeces most promising winemaker. Angelo cultivates international varieties as well as indigenous Greek varieties, and all the wines are elaborated in Alphas state-of-the-art gravity-flow winery.

This winery has been considered to be a comer for awhile. Its fair to end that talk. They have arrived and are making terrific wines. They have their own style and the Amyndeon terroir is somewhat different than Naoussa, they say, which is the signature appellation for Xinomavro in Greece. Taking that all together, Alphas wines are more refined and accessible than some of the more rustic versions of Xinomavro.
-The Wine Advocate