Grape

90% Assyrtiko, 5% Athiri and 5% Aidani

Its Origins

The original 5 acre estate was established by Georgios Argyros on the Greek Island of Santorini. In 1974, after decades of supplying the local market, the founder’s Grandson Yiannis Argyros took over and expanded the estate to 65 acres, while modernising viticulture and winemaking to ensure the quality that would enable an export market. Even so, his son and current owner Matthew Argyros still follows this vision of elevated cosmopolitan standards with a strict respect for their ancient and distinctive tradition, with low-growing bush vines up to 300 years old still cultivated in the traditional ‘crown’ style, and Vinsanto grape dried outdoors on the ground in a unique manner that would be inconceivable in less profoundly dry, sun-baked regions of the world. From Santorini’s famous volcanic mineral soils, Argyros Estate presents a glimpse at one of the world’s oldest yet most overlooked winemaking traditions. But it also offers some of Europe’s most newly available, distinctive and minerally complex wines for the price.

What The Critics Say

16.5/20 JancisRobinson.com, Jancis Robinson

"Reatively bland nose but the raciness of Assyrtiko can’t hide. Wonderful citrus tension. Definitely one to head for in an M&S store. 90% Assyrtiko, 5% Aidani, 5% Athiri. 60-year-old dry-farmed vines. RS 3.3 g/l." Drink 2018 - 2020

89/100 Parker's Wine Advocate, Mark Squires (2016 vintage)

"The 2016 Atlantis is the winery's blend, mostly Assyrtiko, with about 5% each of Aidani and Athiri. It is easy to overlook some of the terrific blends on the island, which the wineries often position at a lower price level. Some of them have become rather solid in their own right these days. As blends, with Athiri and Aidani, they are going to be a bit lighter styled and usually will not age as well, but they also are typically more fragrant and perkier. This is a very respectable follow-up to the lovely 2015 last year, with a fruitier nuance than the regular Assyrtiko has, but there's some tension on the finish and fine solidity in the mid-palate as well. This can hold a few years, but don't hesitate to drink it young. It also may not last at peak as long as some of the bigger boys, but it is certainly worth leaning up on it for the moment." Drink 2017 - 2021