Again a Naoussa Grande Reserve by Boutari. After having tried the 1997, I now have the 2001 in front of me. Nose of sweet Plums, a touch of cinnamon and spices, maybe cloves and some violet. Let’s take a sip. Ew! Palate starts awfully, very bitter with green notes... Well I get it, should at least wait 15 minutes before drinking… Second try after 30 minutes. Now that’s better, the wine loosened up, has shaken off those bitter greenish tones and feels much rounder, almost like a Rhône wine. Finish feels kind of dusty though. This was apparently a more difficult vintage than the 1997. The 1997 reminded me a good Ribera, this one rather some above average aged Rhône wine. Tried it again on the second day then. Nose slightly reminds of caramel, plum is there, a Port-like aged tone, some cinnamon, a touch of Mon Chéri chocolate, later more blackberries, and also hint of freshness in the finish. Some astringency and also a slight bitter tone still persist. All in all quite enjoyable but not too complex in style. This is the right time for drinking this one, maybe it already passed its peak by a year. As for a rating: compared to the 1997 vintage this one is rather in the 86-88 range, the 1997 being in the 89-91.