Domaine Skouras Peplo High Elevation Rosé

The 2019 Peplo Rosé, in bottle about 10 weeks when tasted, is a roughly equal blend of Agiorgitiko, Syrah and Mavrofilero, with only the Agiorgitiko in acacia barrels for four months. The Mavrofilero was in egg-shaped amphorae with skin contact. Nicely dry, it comes in at 12.5% alcohol. Overall, this is not even a little bit like the producer’s other, more exuberant pink this issue. The modest wood treatment cuts the flavor slightly and makes this a bit sterner, just a little. It does not subsume the flavor or vigor of this wine, though. Elegant, refined and very sophisticated, with muted cherry nuances, this has a silky texture and lifted fruit. Although it has adequate body, it feels very graceful, dancing lightly across the tongue. The Zoe is best used on its own. This is perhaps better for the table as a food pairing, although it is certainly balanced well enough to drink on its own too. This is very nice and a step up. Drink date: 2020-2023. Score – 89. (Mark Squires, robertparker.com, June 30, 2020)