2022 Sigalas Santorini Assyrtiko (Blue Cap)
Grape
Assyrtiko
Its Origins
"Probably the island's most famous producer, Sigalas makes unusually concentrated whites. Typically, the upper level should not be opened for a couple of years, which isn't really enough cellaring to allow them to be fully expressive. They age exceptionally well. If they said "Burgundy" and not "Greece" on the label, you could double or triple the price for the regular whites and no one would blink an eye. There's rarely a misstep here. This is one of the island's great estates and a benchmark." - Robert Parkers Wine Advocate. The long winemaking tradition of Santorini island coupled with modern practices and state-of-the-art technology are the founding principles of Domaine Sigalas, one of the most highly-appreciated Santorini wineries. The vineyards are situated at the fields of Oia village, at the northern part of the island. Mild winters, cool summers and the island's volcanic soil create a unique ecosystem, favouring the production of high quality wines, of distinct character. The most versatile grape variety of the Mediterranean region, the Assirtiko (or Assyrtiko) of Santorini, as well as other indigenous varieties - Aidani, Athiri, Mandilaria, Mavrotragano - are cultivated, giving superior quality wines, which have gained many international distinctions. Irrigation on this arid island is permitted, administered post-veraison, with the bunches limited to four per vine. Average yields are in the region of just 20 – 25 hectolitres per hectare.
What The Critics Say
94/100 Parker's Wine Advocate, Mark Squires
"The 2022 Santorini Assyrtiko, the flagship 100% Assyrtiko (usually producing around 100,000 bottles), is unoaked and comes in at 14.5% alcohol. Ripe and dense, this is a big wine on the palate, yet it is never overripe and it is sometimes stonewashed in demeanor. It shows good balance while it coats the palate, and it finishes with great fruit supported by impressive structure. The main flaw here is that this is underdeveloped and not yet fully expressive. That, of course, is something that will only be fixed by a couple of years in the bottle. It should hold well after that. That's not to say you can't drink it today. It is very good right now. Drink 2023-2033"
93/100 Parker's Wine Advocate, Mark Squires (2020 vintage)
"The 2021 Santorini Assyrtiko, the flagship 100% Assyrtiko, is unoaked and comes in at 14.6% alcohol. Ripe and delicious, this big and fruity Santorini is better today for its young fruit than its structure, but there is firmness underneath the initial blast of fruit. It rolls over the tongue and tastes great in its youth. Experience suggests this will be better in a couple of years and that it will age throughout the decade, maybe more. It was certainly better the next day, fleshing out and showing off more of its structure. This has one key question: Will it hold its balance as it ages? It's very big and it has to show that it can hold and become better, not just be a big and ripe fruit bomb. It has a pretty good chance to do so, but this blockbuster style will also drink well young. Still, cellar it for a couple of years for best results. Then, we will have a better idea where its ceiling is."
95/100 Parker's Wine Advocate, Mark Squires (2016 vintage)
"One of the island's benchmarks, this is always in fine form these day–and always rather hard to evaluate when it is young. Deceptively, this bottling doesn't seem intimidating on first taste, but it always hides many layers. I tend to decant them or taste them again the next day when they are young. Otherwise, you tend to miss too much. Wonderfully elegant and finishing with a salty nuance, this shows impeccable balance. Its best feature is the lingering and intense finish, with plenty of tension and grip. It has far more power than it seems on a casual sip and that power doesn't go away as the wine airs and warms. I tried it the next day, in fact, and it put on weight, absorbed the salt and showed even more power. Two days later, it still preened in its power and precision, fresh as a daisy and wholly unevolved. (The salt was back, too.) The gripping finish that coated the palate was simply impressive. This is another beauty from Sigalas, something that has a lot of upside potential still. While I am leaning up on it today, it is all about the potential as not many whites are this tightly wound. Try this again at the beginning summer 2019, and you will no doubt have a better experience. You can dive in now, if you insist, but I suspect this may not be fully expressive until 2020 or so. It should also age effortlessly, but let's start here and take the rest in stages. I won't be shocked if handles 20 years or more well, but let's be conservative for the moment."
Variety | Assyrtiko |
---|---|
Region | Santorini |
Closure | Cap |
Volume | 750ml |
Maturity | 2023 - 2035 |
This Wine Goes Well With
Taste
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