Semeli Nemea Reserve 2017

Red Wine from Greece

2 Reviews

Perfumed and wonderfully elegant barrel-aged agiorgitiko from Seméli, one of the finest producers in Nemea, Greece. Having spent 12 months in high-quality French oak barrels and three years in bottle the spice and nutmeg flavours have integrated beautifully into the rich cherry and plum-flavoured agiorgitiko.

£13.50 Bottle

£81.00 Case of 6

In Stock

Code: GR2351

Wine characteristics

Red Wine
Medium-bodied
Agiorghitiko
75cl
Now to 2025
14% Alcohol
oak used but not v. noticeable
Cork, natural

Semeli

This estate was launched by the Kokotos family in 1980, beginning with 7 hectares of vineyards in Attiki, outside Athens. Initially they planted just international varieties – namely cabernet sauvignon, merlot and chardonnay – but nearly 20 years later the family also invested in vineyards in Nemea, planting more indigenous varieties like moschofilero and roditis on well-drained slopes, 450 metres above sea level. The vineyards are now certified organic.

The family also had ambitious plans for hilltop winery in Nemea, which were realised with investment from an old family friend and fellow Cretan, the chairman of the Bank of Piraeus. A new company was formed, alongside the family’s original venture, which took the name Semeli. The company has also acquired the Nassiakos winery in Mantinia.

The result is an impressive, well-equipped facility, run by the talented winemaker Leonidas Nassiakos, with wines ageing in French and American oak in the underground cellars.

Semeli now makes about 70,000 dozens a year, of which 70% is white. The red is 95% agiorghitiko, and the top wines come from the 15-hectare estate in Nemea.

JancisRobinson.com

Mid ruby … Good freshness after the spicy start. Tannins well receded but they are still there in the background. There’s a real kick to this seriously under-priced wine. Very good value. 17/20

Jancis Robinson

Friday 29th Apr 2022

wine-pages.com

From the mainland Peloponnese, barrel-aged agiorgitiko that spent 12 months in French oak barrels and three years in bottle before release. The colour has a mature warmth on the rim, and there are warming ...

From the mainland Peloponnese, barrel-aged agiorgitiko that spent 12 months in French oak barrels and three years in bottle before release. The colour has a mature warmth on the rim, and there are warming aromatics too, a velvety, plush depth of coffee and tobacco spice, black fruits are ripe and mellow. In the mouth that spice powers through, very tangy and peppery over a raft of black fruits. Brisk tannins, a keen edge of plum skin dry acidity, for a gastronomic and impressive wine at the price. 91/100

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Tom Cannavan

Monday 25th Apr 2022

Sunday Express

Perfumed and juicy, this is a fresh but full-flavoured red from the agiorgitiko grape variety. It has a lovely sweet cherry and raspberry fruit with some creamy, spicy notes adding depth and finishing...

Perfumed and juicy, this is a fresh but full-flavoured red from the agiorgitiko grape variety. It has a lovely sweet cherry and raspberry fruit with some creamy, spicy notes adding depth and finishing with a bit of crunch.

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Jamie Goode

Sunday 17th Apr 2022