Winemaker Notes
Straw blonde color, bright, with a nose of ripe citrus fruit. Refreshing acidity and a delightful finish. Enjoy with fish and white meat with light sauces.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Aa is the typical 75/25 blend of Assyrtiko and Athiri, unoaked and coming in at 13.5% alcohol. This seemed stunning on release, and it remains so. Concentrated and a little closed on opening, it was actually better, far more expressive, the next day. Coating the palate, it has more weight than I expect from the blend and a lingering, textured finish. This will easily hold several more years—maybe more. It's in fine shape and might still improve.
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Wine & Spirits
Athiri's floral, fruity scents play off of assyrtiko's salty mineral character in an addictive way, adding a host of herb and citrus notes that gentle the wine's stony base. It's firm and lasting, with an oceanic scent that brings to mind a pairing with grilled octopus.
Best Buy
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.
