Estate Argyros Cuvee Gerontampelo Assyrtiko 2022 750ml

The Estate Argyros 2022 Santorini Assyrtiko Cuvee Gerontampelo takes Assyrtiko in a richer and more oak-influenced direction. Sourced from ungrafted vines aged 180 to 200 years in Pyrgos, Megalochori and Episkopi, the wine opens to aromas of butter, cream, oak spice and underripe stone fruit layered over a firm mineral core. The palate is dense and textured, with notes of freshly churned butter, citrus and orchard fruit supported by impressive concentration and length. A full year in French oak followed by an additional year on the lees in stainless steel gives the wine a polished, international style that emphasizes richness and texture as much as minerality. Rooted in Santorini's volcanic soils and traditional dry-farmed kouloura vineyards, the wine remains beautifully composed despite its textural weight. Produced in 12,000 bottles and bottled at 15% alcohol, it is a powerful and ambitious expression, although I am ultimately partial to the greater tension and precision of the estate's Cuvee Evdemon. (ML)