Assyrtikobased Santorini is a complex fullthrottle mineralic vin de terroir One thing it is not is an aperitif wine Yet in the numerous white grapes found in the vineyard the last of the 3 As Athiri Assyrtiko and Aidani is the most aromatic Very little of it is grown on the island it is highly prized especially sought to brighten up the aromatic profile of the expensive sweet sundried Vinsanto Aidani commands Euro 145 per kg versus Assyrtikos Euro 105 kg prices for the 2009 vintage Approaching harvest there is much cafelobbying and vivid mobilephone bidding by the now 13 wineries on this oneofakind historic island vineyard
The islands Canava with the oldest and finest Vinsanto reserves is the thirdgeneration and fourthgeneration father Yannis and son Mattheos Argyros 10 years ago they planted 12 hectares of Aidani in Episkopi Gonias in the timehonoured and unique to this island basketshaped pruning Most of their Aidani ends up in the classleading Vinsanto As of 2005 a limited quantity is bottled as a varietal As chronicled in my 2009 vintage report see under Articles the unusually cooler summer and harvest conditions played handsomely into enhancing the aromatic subtleties of this Cycladicisland rarity Yannis Argyros adds We were not looking to add another label there are 10 but wanted to show this as a varietal To date the 2009 is the most complete vintage Another factor for suggesting this wine as a sipping wine is the lower alcohol of 125 ABV approximately one degree less than Assyrtikobased wines It is longer lived than the fragile Athiri see my recent posting on the exceptional Santo Wines example At this level this Aidani will keep its vibrancy for up to two years
Pale yellowgreen tints Fragrant Lemon blossom with a smokey mineral background Textured Richly flavoured Crisp bonedry bracing pyritic finish A great balancing act combining the floral aromatics and the unmistakable pronounced terroir Classy and stylish A different facet of this never a dull terroir
Wine: Aidani Estate Argyros
Year: 2009
Link: http://www.estate-argyros.com/
Score: 17.5
Type: White
Variety: Aidani
Area: Aegean Islands