The Lambouri winery in Platres has gone from strength to strength since it opened in 1988 and now produces over 75,000 bottles a year. I recently had the chance to taste some of the extensive list of wines. It includes some interesting wines that suit most peoples’ palate, blending indigenous grape varieties with famous grapes particularly Syrah, Cabernet and Merlot. Indeed most reds were impressive. It has also ventured into organic wines. But what are they like?

Regional Wines

2008 Lambouri Chardonnay Fresco, Lambouri Winery, Limassol regions, abv 12.5%

Medium light gold in colour, a bit fragrant rather than floral, some citrus nose with hints of ripe melon and light, earthy aromas. Medium body and bone dry, light on the palate, pungent with a blend of mixed fruit and herbs, flavours of medium intensity on an almond finish. Drink with salads with citrus or mixed fruit and Mediterranean seafood recipes. €6

2007 Lambouri Ambelissimo, Lambouri Winery, Lemesos Region, abv 11%

Yellow, perfumed on the nose with ripe tropical fruit, white peaches and honeysuckle with a bit of melon and some vegetal notes. Some bitter notes on the palate, almonds, and the main flavour reminiscent of grapefruit, dry and medium bodied. This natural bitterness carries through to the finish. Best with grilled vegetables or charcoal grilled fish. €4

Winemakers Choice

2001 Lambouri Chardonnay Fumé, Lambouri Winery, Pafos Region, abv 13%

A surprise to see an eight-year-old Chardonnay lasting so long. Fermented in oak barrels and maturing for six months. Pale yellow in colour, still has some faint citrus blossoms, green apples and lemons, overlaid with subtle vanilla and honey from the oak. Round flavours with hint of creamy oak, the acidity still evident, still with structure. It should be drunk soon though with seafood, smoked cheese or roast chicken. €10

2006 Lambouri Special reserve, Lambouri Winery, Lemesos Region, abv 11.5%

A low alcohol wine, medium to full body and a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Mataro. Still with some gripping tannins, it is dark violet with some orange reflections. On the nose and palate the traditional Cabernet blackcurrant, black cherry and spices with a background of Mediterranean herbs and a note of earthy minerals. Drink now with roast pork or turkey, mousaka and lasagna. €10

2005 Lambouri Cabernet Merlot, Lambouri Winery, Lemesos Region, abv 12.5%

The Cabernet contributes structure and ripe blackcurrant, blackberry characters, which are complemented by the plum and berry characters of the Merlot. Inky with drops of violet in colour, its vibrant nose also reveals dark chocolate and mint aromas along with toasty oak. Full body and dry, well balanced acidity and with fine grain tannins. It drinks well now although will continue to develop in the next couple of years. A Cypriot dish such as rabbit Stifado will go well with this wine. €10

2001 Lambouri Cabernet Sauvignon, Lambouri Winery Lemesos Region, abv 12.5%

Strictly for connoisseurs of aged wines, crimson red with rosey rim, the herbal qualities of mint and eucalyptus are prominent. Solid fruit and secondary tobacco and earthy aromas follow. Matured in French and American oak, the taste is dry and medium to full body, tea leaf feeling with earthy notes – the fruit is maraschino cherry, the acid and tannins are pronounced and it has a long aftertaste. Drink now with roast turkey or duck, charcutterie platter and hard cheese. €10

2005 Lambouri Maratheftiko, Lambouri Wine, Pafos Regional, abv 13%

Ruby red with plums, cherries and spice, white pepper on a slick nose, gamey and musky with a slightly animal barnyard character. The palate is dry, full body; gripping tannins and laced acidity coat the mouth. It has personality and rustic character, mixed spice, a bit of clove at the mid palate, layers of cherry and red berry fruit. Excellent with gouda, parmesan and gorgonzola, steaks, kleftiko and feathered game. €10

2006 Lambouri Syrah, Lambouri Winery, Lemesos Regional, abv 13%

Very dark red with purple hue, dried fruit aromas with noticeable earth, pleasing blackberry and cherry, plum, iodine and some herbal notes. On the nose not only blackberry, cherry and plum but raspberry, basil and roasted grain notes. Full body and dry, the tannins are negligible with an exceptionally long and fruity finish. Perfect for lasagna, roast pork, mousaka and beef stew. €10

2007 Ya’ in Kafrisin, Lambouri Winery, Lemesos Region, abv 13%

A red made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Mavro and Grenache Noir. Dark garnet colour with orange and purple reflections, cranberry, blackberry and cherry fruits with notes of bitter orange peel, white pepper and oriental spices, dirt and earth. It is soft on the palate, dry, medium to full bodied. The fruit lingers and lingers. This is a kosher wine, excellent with lamb or beef casserole and garlic prime rib as well as with hard pungent cheese. €10

The Pure Line from organically grown grapes

2008 Lambouri Pure Rosé, Lambouri Winery, Lemesos Region, abv 11.5%

Grenache Noir based rosé that is pale cranberry in colour, with a subtle nose of ripe red fruits and sweet spice that gains aromas as the wine warms, as do the flavours. Once it is warm, the red fruit flavours came out showing ripe strawberry and red cherry with notes of spice and minerals and a surprising acidity. Some might consider it too sweet. Thai salads, you have a match. €6

2007 Lambouri, Pure Red, Lambouri Winery, Lemesos Regional, abv 12.5%

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Mavro harvested from some of the highest vineyards in Cyprus. Ruby red, the Mavro influence is evident on the nose, with dry fruit and raisins along with earthy aromas. It is meaty and herby on the palate, some red fruit, cherries and blackcurrant, mushroom, but flavours are generally tight. A dry and medium body wine that needs to open up in the glass so allow time. Best with strong flavoured cheeses, grilled lamb chops, beef stew with herbs. €6

2006 Lambouri, Pure Cabernet Sauvignon, Lambouri Winery, Lemesos Regional, abv 12.5%

Dark, inky red with some velvet hints, cherry and blueberry and cassis nose with liquorice, leather and acetone, thyme and black pepper. On the palate there is clearly an acidic cherry structure, hints of soft grape and oak tannin, mint and some bay-leaf, dry and full-bodied, balanced and approachable with local characteristics. The cherry and herbal notes follow though a long aftertaste. Decant it and let it breath, then enjoy with lamb kleftiko. €12

The Residual Sugar Line

2006 Lambouri Medium Dry, Lambouri Winery, Lemesos Region, abv 14.5%

This medium sweet wine is a blend of three grape varieties – Cabernet Sauvignon, Mavro and Grenache Noir. Ruby colour with a light pink edge, it has a sweet nose of ripe red fruits grape pulp, raisins and honey, some thyme, cinnamon and black pepper. Slightly chilled, it pairs well with charcuteries and delicately flavoured chicken or pork dishes. €6

2006 Lambouri Sweet Red, Lambouri Winery, Lemesos Region, abv 14%

Medium sweet blend of Grenache Noir and Mavro. It has a ruby colour, with smoked meat, cherry and plum fruit on the nose. This follows through on a medium to full palate which has a smooth, seamless composition, enveloped in creamy coating of smoked and juicy cherries and plums. Lovely presence of fruit, tannin and fine structure. This wine is ideal with roast pork and also as a dessert wine. €8.50

2006 Lambouri Muscat, Lambouri Winery, Lemesos Region, abv 14%

This Muscat of Alexandria wine has been aged for eight months in oak; it has an amber gold colour, with unadulterated flavours of the grape itself. Expressive grape character, a hint of pear jelly, tangerine blossom, it is about as close as you can come to grabbing a cluster off the vine. The smooth body is balanced by a clean, crisp alcohol. As a dessert wine, it is neither overpowering nor cloying. An excellent match for a rich, flourless chocolate cake or blue cheeses. €10

Lambouri Winery is located in Kato Platres, tel: 70009463 to visit