Estate Argyros Cuvee Monsignori Santorini 2020  £43.73

Estate Argyros Cuvee Monsignori Santorini 

'Estate Argyros has been established in 1903, but the Argyros family has been involved in wine production for decades before that. It is the largest private owner of vineyards in Santorini and the current landholdings exceed 120 ha, a vast, four-generations-long investment.'

'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.'

14.5% Vol. 

Organic

'Someone tasting this blind, without paying too much attention, could be forgiven for thinking this is young top range Burgundy at first. There is the same combination of intensity, complexity and finesse. With a bit more focus, the tells are there of course. The salinity is so intense and prominent, and the lemon cuts so sharp, that this can only be Assyrtiko.

The palate is similarly intense and complex, with the rich, yet razor-sharp, texture which has been the hallmark of this label from the start. This is going to have a long life ahead of it - it will be a fascinating wine to revisit in 2030.'

- Tim Atkin - 95 Points