Thymiopoulos Vineyards Vrana Petra 2019

Thymiopoulos Vineyards Vrana Petra 2019 is a refined, single-vineyard expression of Xinomavro that shows just how elegant and nuanced Greek red wine can be. Sourced from a carefully tended site in Macedonia, it combines depth, perfume and a striking sense of place in the glass. This is a wine for those who enjoy the tension between finesse and structure, and who are curious about the very best of modern Greek winemaking.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Vrana Petra 2019 typically shows a translucent, vibrant ruby to garnet hue, hinting at both delicacy and underlying power. The nose is beautifully lifted and aromatic, with red cherries, wild strawberries and dried rose petals at the forefront, layered with hints of tomato leaf, sun-dried herbs, black tea, spice and a gentle earthy-mineral note. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied but intensely flavoured, with pure red fruit, sour cherry and pomegranate supported by Xinomavro’s trademark firm, fine-grained tannins. There is a lively, mouth-watering acidity that keeps everything fresh and linear, while subtle notes of spice, dried herbs and savoury earth add complexity on the long, precise finish. 2019 has the structure to age very well; while already enjoyable with a bit of air, it will continue to develop greater depth, tertiary notes and silkier texture over the next 8–12 years, and likely beyond in good cellaring conditions.

Production
Vrana Petra comes from a select vineyard in the hills of Macedonia, where Xinomavro vines are rooted in a mix of poor, rocky soils with limestone and clay influences, helping to produce low yields and concentrated fruit. The site benefits from a combination of warm days and cooler nights, allowing slow, even ripening and preserving acidity and aromatic lift. Thymiopoulos is known for careful, largely organic-minded viticulture, with much of the vineyard work done by hand, including selective harvesting to pick only perfectly ripe bunches. In the cellar, the approach is deliberately gentle: grapes are often fermented with a proportion of whole clusters, using native yeasts, with long but delicate maceration to extract fine tannins rather than heaviness. Maturation typically takes place in large, neutral or lightly seasoned oak, helping the wine gain texture and complexity without overt wood influence, and bottling is done with minimal intervention to retain the character of the vineyard.

Food & Serving
Vrana Petra 2019 is a highly food-friendly red that works beautifully with dishes that echo its balance of brightness and savouriness. Think grilled lamb chops with rosemary, slow-braised lamb shanks, herb-crusted pork, roasted duck, or rich tomato-based stews. It also pairs well with Mediterranean vegetable dishes, stuffed peppers, moussaka, mushroom-based plates, and aged hard cheeses. Serve at around 16–18 °C; if the wine is very young or recently opened, a short decant of 30–60 minutes helps soften the tannins and open up the aromatics. For older bottles with some age, a gentle splash-decant just before serving is enough to let the wine unfold without losing its delicacy.

Producer
Thymiopoulos Vineyards, led by Apostolos Thymiopoulos, has become one of Greece’s reference producers for Xinomavro and a key name in the northern region of Macedonia. Based around Naoussa and its surrounding hills, the estate has championed a more elegant, terroir-driven style of the variety, moving away from the overly rustic expressions of the past. With an emphasis on low yields, sustainable or organic farming and minimal-intervention winemaking, Thymiopoulos has helped put Greek reds on the radar of sommeliers and wine lovers worldwide. The estate’s single-vineyard bottlings, including Vrana Petra, are regularly praised by international critics and have played a major role in highlighting the quality and individuality of Xinomavro from this historic region.