The 2000 GRANDE RESERVE, released in April, 2007, is all Xinomavro. It is a bit brown around the edges and aging fast, a bit weedy, with some forest floor nuances. It seems older than its vintage date would suggest. That said, and noting that the fruit seems fully mature and projecting tertiary aromas, the wine is still rather lively and still has a vibrant feel to it as a result of its acidity and tannins. As it opens up, it is in fact quite pleasing, charming and easy to drink (alcohol, only 12.8%). It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but it is worth considering if you are a fan of mature wines. It has a certain simple honesty to it, granting that it is a wine with limitations. This should hold in the cellar for a few more years, but it will not improve any more. Drink now-2011. Vaeni Naoussa is a co-op that takes a large part of the Naoussa region’s production. Its focus has traditionally been on Xinomavro, making both white wines (from red grapes) and reds.Importer: Stellar Importing Co., Whitestone, N.Y.; tel: (718) 352-1180