Koutsoyannopoulos Ksera Homata Old Vines Assyrtiko Santorini 2015
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Parker
Robert
Product Details
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Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Goes well with a range of seafood, cheese and white meats in light sauces.
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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.
The estate vineyards of the winery are comprised of 15 hectares which continue to be cultivated in the traditional way of weaving them into the shapes of baskets or crowns. These vineyards lie in the areas of Vothonas, Megalochori, and Fira. Long term contracts with farming families on the island also bolster the amount of fruit available in this bare and sparse land.
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.