The 2005 MEGAS OENOS CABERNET-SAUVIGNON / SAINT GEORGE (the winery uses Saint George on the label instead of the Greek name AGIORGITIKO), from 60 year old vines, is a more modern version of this bottling than the library wines reviewed here. The alcohol is a more normal 13.5, for one thing. The winery’s intent to be graceful and elegant has not changed, but the execution is better. This is beautifully balanced, delicate but ripe, with the well integrated tannins that should allow it to age gracefully for 10 to 15 years from the vintage date without problem. Gentle, suave and harmonious, but persistent and with some verve, it is simply a pleasure to drink, a wine with Cabernet that may nonetheless win some fans who are Burgundy lovers. There were times when I might have wished for a little more mid-palate concentration. There were 2,200 cases produced. Drink now-2018. 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 2003 MEGAS OENOS CABERNET SAUVIGNON / SAINT GEORGE perhaps marks the turning point in the vertical presented here, where the wine is fresher and more structured. Stylistically, it is still elegant in the mid-palate. Despite the delicacy in the mid-palate, the wine is expressive, flavorful and quite charming. It has the backbone to age gracefully for a decade or so from its vintage date. It is, in fact, rather tight on the finish. Drink now-2015. 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 2002 MEGAS OENOS CABERNET-SAUVIGNON / SAINT GEORGE is a fine effort in a difficult vintage. In the context of the vintage, it is one of the most successful wines in the lineup, relatively speaking. In this vintage, Skouras changed the blend to 60% Agiorgitiko and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, rather than the typical 80-20. It is succulent and bright, with nice intensity of flavor and some power on the end. After being open awhile, it does show some forest floor nuances with air, indicating it will age rather quickly. This, however, is a good time to approach it. 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 2001 MEGAS OENOS CABERNET-SAUVIGNON / SAINT GEORGE is in a nice place, wide open and expressive. It tastes older than the vintage date would suggest and already shows some tertiary aromas at the young age of 7. That said, it is gently harmonious and expressive. It won’t improve any further—drink up. Drink now-2011. 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 2000 MEGAS OENOS CABERNET-SAUVIGNON / SAINT GEORGE has an “old nose,” but the palate seems better. Although a bit light and likely to fade quickly, it has some intensity on the finish and some fresh fruit here and there. This is quite pleasant, but fully mature. It needs to be drunk soon. Drink now-2010. 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