Gaia Santorini Wild Ferment Assyrtiko 2021
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Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
The citrus aromas of the Assyrtiko grapes combined with the floral aromas of the acacia wood and the vanilla of the oak result to a wine with a highly complex aromatic profile. Minerality and well-balanced acidity give depth and longevity. This white wine will continue to evolve for 2-5 years, as the mineral notes soften the palate will develop more nuanced flavors of fruit and honey.
A classic pairing for seafood, fatty fish, as well as poultry and even lamb.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2021 Assyrtiko Wild Ferment, always unusual with a mixture of stainless steel, acacia, French and American barrels, comes in at 13.7% alcohol. When last seen, this was good, but it left me with my typical mixed feelings. I haven't always been sold on this bottling with the unusual flavor profile that often develops thanks to the varying vessels for aging, but this now seems to be a terrific vintage for it. It seems to be improving. The extra year of bottle age has helped it settle down and show its stuff. It is powerful and structured, reasonably deep and sensually textured. It integrates its parts well and nothing is too jarring. The long and gripping finish is impressive. It is also unusually pure, thanks to the settle-down time. Rating: 93+
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Wine & Spirits
With one foot in the old-school, oxidative style of Santorini assyrtiko and the other in a modern, reductive mode, this wine feels classic and elegant. Despoina Karapostolaki, of NYC’s *Amali, called it “drinking saltwater in a glass,” citing its crispness and long, mineral finish for pairing with branzino, or cacio e pepe pasta with clams. This should layer on fine complexity with several more years in the cellar.
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Wine Enthusiast
This engaging Assyrtiko introduces itself with notes of sage and white pepper on the herbaceous nose, plus the faintest hints of vanilla thanks to fermentation in both stainless steel and acacia, French barrique and American oak barrels. There are lovely lemon pound cake flavors on the palate, with savory flavors and a citrus-driven finish that keeps perceptible sweetness beautifully balanced. It’s also vegan, in case that’s important to you or your drinking companions.
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Wine Spectator
An aromatic white, with verbena, fresh chervil and flint notes on the nose accenting a bright mix of star fruit, grapefruit sorbet and apricot fruit flavors, which glide across the silky palate. Light- to medium-bodied and mouthwatering, with a well-spiced finish
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A crisp white variety full of zippy acidity, Assyrtiko comes from the volcanic Greek island of Santorini but is grown increasingly wide throughout the country today. Assyrtiko’s popularity isn’t hard to explain: it retains its acid and mineral profile in a hot climate, stands alone or blends well with other grapes and can also withstand some age. Somm Secret—On the fairly barren, windswept Mediterranean island of Santorini, Assyrtiko vines must be cultivated in low baskets, pinned to the ground. The shape serves to preserve moisture and protect the growing grapes in its interior.