Cuvee Evdemon is flirting with the boundaries of Estate Argyros’ understanding of the Santorinian environment. Biodynamically cultivated, very old Assyrtiko vineyards, at least 150 years old, in Pyrgos giving extremely low yields. Fermented, partially uninoculated, in stainless steel, at cool temperatures and aged for approximately thirty months in stainless steel tanks on fine lees, while a quarter of the blend had twelve months in French oak barriques and then the remaining months in stainless steel. A wine focusing on palate architecture that needs several years in bottle to open up while can reward cellaring for more than fifteen years.
The Estate Argyros’ construal of an old, distinctive Santorinian style. A very strict selection of very old Assyrtiko vineyards, at least 150 year old, in Pyrgos and Megalochori, harvested at deep ripeness, usually twenty days after the main picking date. Fermented, partially uninoculated, in French oak barriques, at ambient temperatures and aged for twelve months in French oak barriques on fine lees and then approximately twelve additional months in stainless steel, again on fine lees. A wine of imposing proportions, of power but showing no hint of roughness. It needs several years in bottle to grow out of its youth and will unfurl for more than fifteen years.
Cuvee Monsignori is Estate Argyros’ vision on what Santorini Assyrtiko can actually be. Excessively old Assyrtiko vineyards, at least two hundred years old, giving minute yields. Fermented, partially uninoculated, in stainless steel, at cool temperatures and aged for ten months in stainless steel tanks on fine lees. A wine of breed, extract and length, that needs about four years in bottle to unfold and can be confidently kept for more than a decade after vintage.
The most important bottling of the estate, the essence of what Estate Argyros stands for. Meticulously selected parcels, with ages exceeding a century, from top quality areas of the island, mainly Messaria, Karterados, Pyrgos, Megalochori and Akrotiri. Fermented in stainless steel at cool temperatures and aged for two months in stainless steel tanks on fine lees. A copybook Santorini, at least under the Argyros lenses, showing purity and race without excesses, developing for at least a decade.
The most mature yet translucent Vinsanto of Estate Argyros. A strict selection of excessively old Assyrtiko, Aidani and Athiri vineyards in Episkopi, two hundred year old minimum, specifically earmarked for this style. Harvested at very deep ripeness, almost a month after the main picking date, giving insanely low yields. The grapes are sun dried for fourteen days, natural fermentation and three years of ageing takes place in old concrete vats, with additional aging for sixteen years in old wooden vats. An intense, profound wine of breathtaking complexity. Ready to drink on release but time is unable to destroy this. Final yield of this would be close to 60 ml per square metre of vineyard.
The youngest Vinsanto of Estate Argyros, demonstrating what youth is for such a wine. A strict selection of excessively old Assyrtiko, Aidani and Athiri vineyards in Episkopi, two hundred year old minimum, specifically earmarked for this style. Harvested at very deep ripeness, almost a month after the main picking date, giving insanely low yields. The grapes are sun dried for ten days, natural fermentation and three years of ageing takes place in old concrete vats, with additional aging for four years in old wooden vats. A luscious wine, with fruit at the forefront. Ready to drink on release but can age in bottle almost indefinitely. Final yield of this would be close to 75 ml per square metre of vineyard.
