Winemaker Notes
All the formality of a Santorini is expressed with irreproachable manner, through a juicy, witty and untamed wine. Formality in the nose with minerality notes and traces of tea, citrus and jasmine. Explosive mouth, crunchy and robust.
Pair with pan-fried fish, pies with greens and herbs, green salads, and "saganaki" (Greek fried spicy cheese).
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Santorini is an unoaked Assyrtiko from vines ranging 40 to 80 years of age. It comes in at 13.5% alcohol. Rather rich for the regular Assyrtiko and caressing in texture as it warms, this is beautifully done. Starting with that hint of richness followed by bite on the finish, it becomes better balanced and more transparent as it airs. Subtle but still intense, this is one of the better regular Santorinis I've seen from Hatzidakis. It doesn't have the concentration of some upper-level bottlings, including his, but it touches all the bases nicely, most with authority.
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.
SPRDNHAHZ16C_2016 Item# 288136