Megas Oenos

Score

90+

"The 2016 Megas Oenos is a fairly typical 80/20 blend of Agiorgitiko and Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 18 months in 50% new French oak. It comes in at 14.5% alcohol. This is sourced from high-altitude vines (750 meters). Big and lush this year, this might be a bit deeper than last year's, although both are not here together, but perhaps not quite as fresh. It shows bold fruit this year, an unusually ripe character and fine structure. Underneath the fruit is some steel, lead and promises of complexity to come. The tannins are moderately ripe too, and this seems accessible now, but you will be rewarded if you hold it a few years. It will become more interesting and more expressive. They always age well. Even if this is not on the high end of that aging scale, it will still hold well. I would like to see more evidence of where it might be going when it calms down. It seems so exuberantly ripe and rich today that it needs to demonstrate some ability to come into better balance. It's a fine value no matter what."