KTIMA BIBLIA CHORA | Biblinos | Vintage 2016
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The Bibila Chora (the “C” is silent) winery was built in 1998 in the hills of Mount Pangeon, in northen Greece near Kavala, Macedonia. It is a joint venture of two talented winemakers: Evangelos Gerovassiliou (the owner of the famous Ktima Gerovassiliou winery) and Vassilis Tsaktsarlis. 

Today we are are going to review a really unique, single varietal wine from the Pangeonsub-region of Macedonia in northern Greece – Biblinos | Vintage 2016 by Ktima Biblia Chora. This wine is crafted from an ancient, indigenous but unidentified greek grape variety. After years of research, the DNA tests have revealed that it is an old variety that is nonidentical to any known grape varieties. It is believed to be of phoenician origin and today it is found exclusively at the footsteps of Mount Pangeon. When phoenicians came to Pangeon, they spread the art of winemaking, bringing with them a sacred vine known as ‘Biblia Ampelos‘ from the port city of Byblos in Phoenicia. The ancient greeks took over their traditions and continued producing a wine that they called ‘Biblinos Oenos‘. This famous red wine helped the Pangeon region to develop into a famous wine-growing area, known throughout all of Ancient Greece as ‘Biblia Chora‘. To create this wine, the two winemakers applied traditional winemaking techniques, with extended cryo-maceration, fermentation in open-top vats and of course with 12 months of oak ageing in order to soften the harsh tannins and add extra complexity to the final wine. But enough with all that theory, that said and without further ado, let’s take a look at the wine tasting results.
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Take a look at the tasting notes below and our detailed assessment of the wine:

//Visual
colour: deep & vibrant ruby color
clarity: hazy & noble ruby shades

//Olfactory
intensity: pronounced | savory-earthy
fruit character: ripe & dehydrated

On the first nose, the wine reveals a rich and pronounced fruity character, with ripe and dehydrated black fruits in the foreground: black cherry and dried black plum, accompanied by notes of dried black cherry, blackberry and blackcurrant. These intense fruit aromas intertwine gracefully with notes of black soil dust and pencil lead in the background, adding a subtle earthy dimension to the wine’s aromatic profile. Hints of tobacco and toasted oakwood add extra complexity, while whispers of black olive, cloves and nutmeg bring a touch of finesse. Subtle hints of bay leaf, thyme and rosemary add a bit of rustic delicacy to the wine’s already rich and complex profile, thus creating a genuine and captivating experience.

//Palate
sweetness: bone dry | acidity: high | alcohol: high | tannin: high | balance: good
finish: medium | aftertaste: seedy

On the palate, this wine showcases a very firm and full-bodied character. Its crisp acidity immediately grabs attention, while the grippy-seedy tannins provide structure and an appealing grip on the mouthfeel. There’s a notable touch of alcoholic warmth that adds depth and structure to the wine’s bold palate. The fruit character leans towards dehydrated black fruits, mixed with nuanced earthy flavors that add extra complexity. The aftertaste is seedy and astringent, leaving a lasting impression, thusoffering a genuine and robust wine tasting experience.

//Verdict
maturity: developing | drink now or within the next 2 years
verdict: great | a must try wine

Overall, this is a bold and well-structured wine that displays a very pronounced, terroir-driven character – a wine that is all about power and strength. On the palate, the wine feels firm, grippy and slightly angular, while it might lack some elegance and finesse, still, this wine captivates your attention with its robust and genuine nature. It is a wine for those who appreciate an authentic tasting experience that only a terroir-driven wine can offer, where the emphasis is on intensity and character rather than refinement and finesse.

//Scoring
KTIMA BIBLIA CHORA | Biblinos | Vintage 2016
variety: unidentified
country: Greece | Macedonia
region: Pangeon
rating: 93.9
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This is definitely a great wine of Greece and, with a total of 93.9 points scored, this wine is right there, among the best wines we’ve rated so far. Check our complete database on the wine rating page, where you can find all the wines that we have tasted and reviewed or go to the about us page and find out more about our exquisite rating system.

Pairing: Based on the wine’s rustic authenticity and savory-delicate traits, we would recommend to pair it with a slow-cooked braised lamb shank with rosemary and black olives. The wine’s firm and complex nature will harmonize with the tender and flavorful lamb, while the wine’s seedy and slightly angular profile will complement the robustness of the dish. The dehydrated fruit character and earthy flavours in the wine will underline the herbal notes of the dish, creating a delightful marriage of flavors, while those subtle hints of black olives in the wine will add a touch of savoriness that will enhance the overall pairing experience. This pairing will teleport you to the heart of mediterranean cuisine, showcasing the wine’s terroir-driven charm and its rustic appeal. Enjoy!

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© The WineStatistics ratings are based solely on our own knowledge of the world of wine and on our personal wine tastes, which may, or may not, differ from yours – the reader. Just remember that there are no absolutes of right and wrong in wine appreciation.