Winemaker Notes
Bright yellow color with green hues. The bouquet displays aromas of passionfruit, mango and citrus. Balanced taste with crispy acidity and a characteristic minerality around the palate. Long and lasting finish.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
In a screw-cap bottle, the Alexakis 2023 Assyrtiko is a terrific white wine from Crete made near the ancient city of Knossos and its Bronze Age archeological site. The fruit is amply layered with marine salt and minerals, giving the wine a very angular and crisp personality. There are aromas of lemon, pear and star fruit over a lean, fresh close. I could imagine a pairing with a grilled fish dish with herbs and olive oil.
A crisp white variety full of zippy acidity, Assyrtiko comes from the volcanic Greek island of Santorini but is grown increasingly wide throughout the country today. Assyrtiko’s popularity isn’t hard to explain: it retains its acid and mineral profile in a hot climate, stands alone or blends well with other grapes and can also withstand some age. Somm Secret—On the fairly barren, windswept Mediterranean island of Santorini, Assyrtiko vines must be cultivated in low baskets, pinned to the ground. The shape serves to preserve moisture and protect the growing grapes in its interior.
As one of Greece’s largest island’s, its wines enjoyed high glory during the Middle Ages. Today Crete is full of ambitious winemakers with the city of Heraklion as its viticultural hub.