Apostolos Thymiopoulos
Rising Star Award 2022
Decanter
“Apostolos Thymiopoulos, based in Naoussa in Macedonia, northern Greece, is far more than a fabulously talented winemaker. He has become the ambassador for Greece’s new wines and winemakers, taking Greece beyond the southern Mediterranean and establishing it on international markets. Further, he has done this through his transformation of Xinomavro, a red grape likely unfamiliar to most, and seen as overwhelmingly tannic by many of those who have come across it. Thymiopoulos has propelled the hitherto relatively obscure region of Naoussa and its formerly unloved grape variety to success in global markets; it’s an exceptional achievement.”
Sarah Jane Evans – Decanter
The Thymiopoulos family has been in agriculture and grape-growing in the village of Trilofos for generations. Apostolos Thymiopoulos was the first to vinify the family vineyards while studying oenology.
The Thymiopoulos vineyards are located in Trilofos, a village on the foothills of Vermio mountain, a place in perfect harmony with nature, offering wines that reflect their origin. All the vineyards are farmed organically, following biodynamic practices selected after careful assessment of their impact on the vine. These methods allow them to preserve biodiversity in the vineyards.
XINOMAVRO
Apostolos Thymiopoulos’ brilliant Xinomavros are among Greece’s most renowned wines. He has mastered the grape variety like nobody else.
Apostolos devotes himself exclusively to xinomavro, the emblematic variety of the Naoussa region, expressing “terroir” as well as the craftsmanship of the “vigneron”.
Xinomavro doesn’t leave room for mistake, either in the vineyard, or in the winery. Vinified according to the rules of the art, xinomavro yields acid, tannic yet ethereal, long lived wines with a distinctive aromatic profile.
Thymiopoulos offers different expressions of the xinomavro variety, all vinified with absolute respect to the grape. Each wine produced reflects the specificity of the parcel it originates from.
ATMA Red 2019
(Xinomavro, Mandilaria)
A blend of Xinomavro from Naoussa and Mandilaria from the island of Santorini. The Xinomavro grapes are dried outside for 3 days, which softens and concentrates the flavours and as a result the wine has a depth and complexity that you rarely find in an everyday red. It’s soft and succulent and remarkably fresh with red fruits aplenty on the nose and palate. Apostolos told us that he puts his wines through a slow and gentle maceration to tame the grape’s rustic side, while coaxing plenty of wonderful flavours out. Imagine strawberry juice given piquancy by a squeeze of pomegranate overlaid by flowers and sweet spices from the Xinomavro and white pepper from the Mandilaria. A really fresh and succulent wine that doesn’t know how good it is. 13% alc. Unoaked.
‘Young Vines’ Xinomavro 2020
“It’s incredible value, and a brilliant introduction to the Xinomavro grape. Juicy, approachable and fresh, serve it lightly chilled and enjoy the cranberry, cherry and tomato leaf flavours. There’s no oak here (it’s aged in a mix of stainless steel and concrete), just an uncomplicated, joyful fruit purity. Also try the ‘Alta’ Xinomavro from the same talented producer; this does see some oak and has a more leathery and tomato profile.”
94 Points – Decanter
Alta Xinomavro 2020
‘Alta’ is sourced exclusively from the high-altitude vineyards of Fytia which leads to an ethereal, aromatic xinomavro packed with cherry and strawberry notes alongside refreshing acidity, firm tannins and savoury cedar thanks to 8 months in French oak vats.
‘Earth & Sky’ Xinomavro 2020
Grown on 45-year-old vines, 70% from the warmer Trilofos region, and 30% from cooler Fytia, this is Apostolos’ most ethereal red wine with remarkable focus and charm. Not dissimilar to fine red burgundy, this Greek red has aromas of black slate and red fruit, with silky tannins and intense acidity.
