Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesThe 2020 Santorini Assyrtiko, the flagship 100% Assyrtiko, is unoaked, dry (1.9 grams of residual sugar, six grams of total acidity) and comes in at 15.1% alcohol, a notable spike. That has some pros and cons. This is not the zestiest Assyrtiko, but it sure is ripe and rich. It sits in the mouth, coating the palate and seeming very weighty. Yet it doesn't always seem expressive, at least not today. It also seems to hold the alcohol pretty well, and hopefully that will continue as this ages. So far, so good, in other words, but this will be interesting to watch as it evolves over the rest of the decade. They normally age well. Will this have the structure to do so? In terms of concentration, for that part of the deal it is just packed with fruit, even if the fruit seems a bit closed right now. Again, so far, so good, but other years might surpass it in terms of aging.
Rating : 91+
Domaine Sigalas was founded in 1991 by Paris Sigalas, Christos Markozane and Yiannis Toundas. Initially, Sigalas made his wine at the converted Sigalas family home. In 1998 a new vinification, bottling and aging unit was built in a privately owned area of Oia, on the northern part of Santorini.
Sigalas has been a pioneer in the organic viticulture and has participated in a government organic farming methods program since 1994.
Paris Sigalas remains committed to the founding principles of Domaine Sigalas – a creative relationship with the tradition, the Santorini Vineyards as well as the use of the best in winemaking technology and experience.
Awarded Wine & Spirits Top 100 Wineries of 2021.
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.