Winemaker Notes
Dry white wine produced from the Assyrtiko grape, gorwn in Santorini. This grapes for this wine come from Koutsoyannopoulos' family owned vineyard in Exo Gialos, on the east side of the island. Pre-fermentation maceration is used to enhance the aromatic potential of this wine, which has a crisp, refreshing mouth feel and intense minerality, both characteristics of Assyrtiko and Santorini.
Goes well with a range of seafood, cheese and white meats in light sauces.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2015 Santorini is an Assyrtiko, unoaked and coming in at 13% alcohol. This was one of the more interesting ones that I saw this year—it stuck out in the group, showing more minerality (forgive the generalization), a bit of reduction and less of that saline character many have. I wasn't concerned with the minerality, the stonewashed demeanor, but I was a little concerned with the flint. From this bottle, that has blown off, leaving a rather earthy wine that has a flavor nuance akin to being poured over pebbles in a stream. Now, though, it is in good balance and shows beautifully. There is good tension and that nice complexity on the finish. I wouldn't say this is my personal preference in style, but it is well done and reasonable minds might differ. I hoped this would come around. It seems to have done so. It should hold well over the next several years.
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.
SPRDNKTKH15C_2015 Item# 521450