Sigalas Santorini, Assyrtiko, Kavalieros Single Vineyard, Santorini, Greece, 2023

Overview of the Wine
To the overall story of Assyrtiko there is a chapter before and another one since Paris Sigalas. He is the pioneering winemaker who applied mathematics and other innovative ideas to oenology and viticulture to elevate Santorini’s wines to international stardom. The 1991 Santorini is his maiden vintage, the first wine to be labelled Protected Designation of Origin, marking the start of operations at Domaine Sigalas.

Coming from a winemaking family, like most Santorinians, the future mathematician Paris Sigalas spent his summer holidays on the island. Together with friends, he helped out with grape-picking and in the production of the family's wine, a process that increasingly fascinated him.

Gradually, Sigalas took over the reins of his grandfather's vineyard and started crafting wine by his own guiding principle: “the dynamic evolution of tradition". It is the belief that innovation and technical savviness can coexist in a creative relationship with the ancient winegrowing traditions of the island. As Paris Sigalas has said, it was his passion for tasting and evaluating wine that eventually set the high bar for his own wines.

Vegan.

Winemaker
Paris Sigalas

Grape / Blend
100% Assyrtiko

Origin
Santorini, Greece

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Bright lemon color. The nose is rather strict with aromas of lemon and stone fruits, as well as notes of toast and dough. The mouth is oily, full of a creamy sensation. Very long finish. Ageing potential is 10+ years.

96 Points - Ian Blackburn - AKA TEETH
Restrained and nuanced nose vibrates with salty zesty citrus, there is an undeniable quality / refinement ... you know it when you smell it - crushed seashells - chalk - definition... not afraid to represent one of the greatest wines of Greece... and all of Europe.  The mouth is lengthy, complexed, balanced with amazing greek island tension - this is not a tourist bottle - this is a leader amongst white wines .... a wine that haunts you as you ask:  "is Assyrtiko supposed to be this good?"   Answer:  SigalYES YES YES ... color 14.50 nose 24. mouth 23.5  overall 34 - love this wine - 96 points.  

95 Points - Wine Advocate (Score from 2022)
This special wine is made with 100% Assyrtiko from the village of Imerovigli that is the highest on the island at 250 meters above sea level. This site delivers very sharp and vertical aromas, and that's exactly what Domaine Sigalas is gunning for here. The 2022 Santorini Assyrtiko Kavalieros ages on the fine lees in stainless steel for only 18 months. It excels at freshness with 6.3 grams per liter of total acidity, and it also presents some crunch from white wine tannins. White grapefruit, peach and quince add volume and creaminess, but the wine's characteristic salinity is what makes it so irresistible. Annual production is 10,000 bottles. 

Product size: 750ml