Greece — wine

Santorini PDO

Volcanic Cycladic island. Assyrtiko from vines that burrow 15+ metres into volcanic pumice for moisture. The kouloura (basket-shaped) vine training — stems coiled flat to protect grapes from Aegean winds — is unique to Santorini. Volcanic soils (ash, pumice, basalt) are phylloxera-immune — many vines are 100–300+ year old ungrafted pre-phylloxera vines. Assyrtiko: extraordinary mineral salinity, electric acidity, lemon-citrus purity — the world's most minerally expressive white wine. Also Nykteri (barrel-aged Assyrtiko) and Vinsanto (sweet, sun-dried, barrel-aged). BC importer: La Fête du Vin [NEEDS VERIFICATION].

Year Rating Notes
2023 very_good
2022 86 Good vintage. Consistent quality. Santorini PDO recognition growing. Nykteri gaining international sommelier traction.
2021 88 Excellent. Fresh, precise, mineral. Assyrtiko's combination of high acid and phenolic richness at its finest. Old vine basket-trained grapes excellent.
2020 85 Good year. Classic mineral expression. Sigalas, Gaia, and Estate Argyros all strong. Rising global recognition translating to prices.
2019 87 Very good. Reliable Assyrtiko quality. Classic lemon-citrus-mineral profile. Vinsanto (sweet oxidative) also exceptional this year.
2018 91 Outstanding. Sigalas Barrel and Hatzidakis Nykteri achieving world-class scores. Volcanic island terroir fully expressed.
2017 89 Excellent. Warm vintage — rich, textured Assyrtiko. Nykteri especially compelling with apricot, mineral, and smoky volcanic notes.
2016 87 Good year. Classic Cycladic character. Basket-vine (kouloura) old vine expressions showing extraordinary minerality and persistence.
2015 88 Classic Santorini Assyrtiko. Volcanic mineral intensity, citrus, sea salt. Gaia, Sigalas, and Hatzidakis all outstanding. Nykteri (barrel-aged) exceptional.