Grapes – Assyrtiko
Production and Maturation – Stainless steel
Tasted by Nick Stokes – 4th April 2014
Pouring a glass of Assyrtiko from Santorini immediately reminded me of the summer with the floral and freshly mown grass aromas. After swirl and a sip then palate came alive, the fresh citrus gives the wine plenty of acidity and the steely minerality ensures good body and a strong finish. Combine all this with a high alcohol content and you have a wine that will last at least until the next decade.
Assyrtiko is known for its highly concentrated and perfumed dry wines which tend to have high acidity and alcohol.
Hatzidakis winery was founded in 1997 by Haridimos and Konstantin Hatzidakis. Haridimos trained in Athens and previously worked as Boutari’s chief winemaker at their wineries on Crete and Santorini. Konstantina’s family owns the vineyards in the village of Pyrgos Kallistis. The land had not been cultivated since 1956, when the earthquake on Santorini forced Konstantina’s parents to leave the island.
There has been extensive re-planting and nurturing of the older vines. A cave was found and turned into the winery. All the wines produced are organic.
Awards
Decanter rated outstanding and listed at number 12 in the top 50 wines for 2013.
“Honey-baked fruits, banana leaf, jasmine, flowers, pine, lime and grapefruit lift. Immediately lively and bold on the full-throttle, textured, harmonious palate: mouthwatering freshness with tart lemon-curd ripeness, underlined by punchy minerality.” Sarah Jane Evans MW 4th June 2013
Suppliers
Waitrose £11.99
Oddbins £13.75
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