Tsiakkas Vamvakada Lemesos 2017 750 ML

The 2017 Vamvakada is an unusual monovarietal, aged for 13 months in 30% new oak (mostly French) and the rest in barrels ranging up to five years old. It comes in at 14.05% alcohol, a notable drop from last year’s big guy. This is fruity and polished, with a grapey feel and dark color. It doesn’t seem to have a lot of flesh, but the structure is good. It is not quite so distinctive this year, either, more of a middle-of-the-road red that is not as challenging to drink as the name is to learn. It flattens out a bit on the finish. The mid-palate is very elegant, demonstrating finesse. This should make a very nice food wine, but it needs to show some development in the cellar to become more than it is today.