Argyros 2018 Estate Santorini Assyrtiko 750ml

The 2018 Assyrtiko, the regular Santorini, although in a fairly big bottle these days, is unoaked, dry (1.6 grams of residual sugar, 6.92 of total acidity) and comes in at 13.5% alcohol. This is a blend from mainly Messaria, Karterados, Pyrgos, Megalochori and Akrotiri. It is beautifully structured and feels more concentrated than one would think. There's a slight reductive hint, but this fills the mouth well and seems bigger than it is on paper. There is a tight and relatively tense finish. The reductive nuance is mostly pulled in with air and warmth. It certainly has the stuffing to hold up to foods. The winery suggests that it can last for a decade, which seems about right. It might do better, if well stored. As between this and its 2019 sibling this issue, I'd take the 2019—for the moment. That's a sexier wine. I won't be surprised if this is the winner in a few years.

Score: 91 points  -- Mark Squires, The Wine Advocate, 2020

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Established in 1903, Estate Argyros is run by Matthew Argyros, 4th generation of winemakers. Based in Episkopi Santorini, the winery owns 120ha of vineyards with ungrafted - original rootstock - phylloxera safe plants averaging 70 years old, including some of the oldest vines on the island which are over 200 years old. Our philosophy is to craft outstanding boutique wines based only on the indigenous varieties of Santorini, such as Assyrtiko, Aidani & Mavrotragano. We focus on wines of great subtlety, character, balance and elegance with an uncompromising commitment to quality. With over two centuries of wine-growing and wine-making history on Santorini, Estate Argyros family has earned it's longstanding reputation for excellence. The volcanic terroir, the extreme microclimate, our heritage grapes and our passion capture the best of what the land of Santorini has to offer.