2012 Kir-Yianni "Yianakohori Hills" Red Blend Macedonia

The 2012 Yianakohori Hills is a blend of Xinomavro (50%), Merlot (30%) and Syrah (20%) aged for 14 months in well used, French 225-liter and 500-liter barrels. Lovely this year, this is fresh and flavorful up front, with power on the finish. Bright and chock full of flavor, this is superb, showing reasonable concentration and the structure to support the fine fruit. It is immensely appealing at the moment. It will be approachable young, but it will be better next year and it should drink well for the better part of a decade thereafter, or more. How long it stays at peak may be another question, but it drinks beautifully now and is clearly on the upswing. In fact, it is far more appealing just now than the Ramnista reviewed this issue (but has less character and upside as time goes on). Tip: it certainly drank a lot better with just a bit of coolness. Even just a few degrees under 70 (F) helps. (MS)