The screwcapped 2009 Chardonnay "Almyra" was sourced from vines planted in Korinthia in 1989. It is bright and light, well balanced and easy to drink. Showing nicely, it has good persistence in the context of a laid back, easy going, early maturing style. It will always be best on the younger side. Showing some welcome restraint, it was fermented 70% in tank without maloactic, and the rest in French oak with maloactic. This combination allows it to have some freshness and considerable charm, making it fun to drink, with some finesse as well as fruitiness. Drink now-2013. Importer: Diamond Importers, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 549-6211

This fresh but spicy Chardonnay starts with tropical fruit, citrus and floral aromas leading into a great fruit and acid balance. The minerality keeps the wine fresh and lifted, giving it a food-friendly edge. A great go-to white. ——S.K.(6/1/2011)—— 86

The 2007 CHARDONNAY ALMYRA Almyra is the vineyard name, meaning “salty”, is beautifully wrought. Bright, with some piercing notes on first attack, this young Chard is both intense and crisp, but rounds into form quickly, showing fine balance and harmony. There is a touch of grass on the finish, which has reasonable length for a wine in this price category. It will probably be better in 2009. Drink now-2012. George Skouras is one of Greece’s stalwarts, having studied oenology in Burgundy, founded his winery in 1986 and released his well known “Megas Oenos” brand in 1988, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (usually around 20%) and one of Greece’s most successful indigenous reds, Agiorgitiko (usually around 80%, from old vines dating back to the 1930s and 1940s, says Skouras). Note that Skouras translates Agiorgitiko into “Saint George” on his labels. All of the Megas Oenos wines are unfiltered. Skouras may use some Cabernet Sauvignon, but his elegant wines remind me more of Burgundy. Some library wines are included in these reviews to demonstrate the evolution of the Megas Oenos brand, going from a light, very low alcohol wine to a riper, more modern wine with better balance and depth. The early examples are fun and often very well crafted, but the current bottlings, still quite elegant, seem more likely to excel.Importer: Diamond Importers, Chicago, IL; tel: (773) 549-6211

The 2006 CHARDONNAY ALMYRA is mostly the ’07 with a little age. Its texture is beautiful and caressing with that extra year in the cellar. The oak is well integrated. It is fairly light, but without the same intensity on the finish that the more youthful 2007 has. It is lovely and harmonious, still crisp and sunny. Drink now-2013. George Skouras is one of Greece’s stalwarts, having studied oenology in Burgundy, founded his winery in 1986 and released his well known “Megas Oenos” brand in 1988, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (usually around 20%) and one of Greece’s most successful indigenous reds, Agiorgitiko (usually around 80%, from old vines dating back to the 1930s and 1940s, says Skouras). Note that Skouras translates Agiorgitiko into “Saint George” on his labels. All of the Megas Oenos wines are unfiltered. Skouras may use some Cabernet Sauvignon, but his elegant wines remind me more of Burgundy. Some library wines are included in these reviews to demonstrate the evolution of the Megas Oenos brand, going from a light, very low alcohol wine to a riper, more modern wine with better balance and depth. The early examples are fun and often very well crafted, but the current bottlings, still quite elegant, seem more likely to excel.Importer: Diamond Importers, Chicago, IL; tel: (773) 549-6211