Costa Lazaridi Chateau Julia Merlot 2023

Drink it now or cellar for up to 20 years. It is recommended to decant it for at least an hour. The Chateau Julia wine line is part of the Domaine Costa Lazaridi winery, located in Eastern Macedonia, in the Drama wine production area. Chateau Julia Merlot is an impressive and very successful Greek red wine produced with the help of the famous French flying winemaker Michel Rolland. The Merlot grapes come from the estate's vineyards in Drama and are harvested only when perfectly ripe. After a long maceration of 15 days, the wine is then aged in French oak barriques (40% of which are new), for at least 12 months. The wine has an intense ruby color and violet reflections on the edges. The aromatic profile is explosive with intense aromas of ripe dark fruit (wild cherry, plum, blackberry, and blueberry), sweet spices (vanilla, cloves, and cinnamon), and then tertiary notes of tobacco, pepper, coffee, and chocolate. On the palate, it is complex, full-bodied, rich, and with exuberant and concentrated flavors. The acidity is lively and the tannins are firm but velvety. The finish is warm and persistent. It is perfect with grilled red meats served with aromatic sauces, roast poultry, and medium-aged cheese.