Alcohol percentage: 14.0%
Vegan
Area:
Agiorgitiko – pronounced “AYE-yor-Yee-tee-ko” - is an aromatic black grape native to Greece's Peloponnese peninsula. It is the most widely planted black grape in Greece. The Nemea vineyards for the Gaia example are near to Koutsi, a semi-mountainous village. This area enjoys a high diurnal range (high: low) which creates excellent levels of ripeness whilst maintain high levels of acidity. The soils are a mix of clay and loam, but with a high chalk content which the vine loves and aids drainage.
Producer:
One of the pioneers of the modern Greek wine revolution Gaia Estate was established in 1994 by Greek winemakers Leon Karatsalos and Yiannis Paraskevopoulos (who made this wine). They have two separate wineries in the region of Nemea and the island of Santorini. Gaia's main aim is “to explore the boundaries and present the potential of the indigenous Greek grape varieties”.
The Bottle Shop rating:
This wine is dry and rich but silky in mouthfeel and texture, with ripe black plum fruits and a juicy, savoury character with a twist of liquorice on the finish. The oak is nicely discrete with velvety tannins. Ready to drink now but could be aged comfortably for another 3 years taking on more savoury notes.