If I have learned anything from wine is that it usually has the last word This is very much such a story All apostles preaching ABC anything but chardonnay this time will have to eat their proverbial hat With the new challenges of climate change lets hope we will witness more of these exceptional vintages for nonindigenous varieties There are a clutch of unique circumstances that have nurtured this impressive effort The old saying that quality wine is made from grapes that have spent more than 100 days on the vine is an important factor here Harvest date for most Greek Chardonnays is more recently late August or early September In this instance the grapes for this iconic oak fermented chardonnay were harvested October 6th It is a blend of three vineyards Vassiliko 110m Mihaleika 840m and Amygdalies 920m on the slopes of the Panachaiko 1928m range of Mountains in northwestern Peloponesos Spring rain very cool nights and absence of heat waves contributed to this by any yardstick remarkable bottle Veteran winemaker Mihalis Probonas who has a grasp on the international wine scene says September gave us textbook weather conditions Cool nights light winds no rain Ripening was at a snails pace grapes matured perfectly His face lights up as we walk on a winter morning in the aforementioned vineyards He is one of the few technicians who has reference point in various single vineyards of southern Burgundy and cooler sites in Australia Ditto for the finest producers Prices have eased There is a window to buy again I add that includes many of us as we exchange on form addresses We then discuss obscure local grapes such as Santameriana and Mygdali We focus on their greater tolerance to sudden weather changes and dynamics they offer in blends he has been working on Back in the cellar As we taste this reviewed wine his body language speaks professional pride and satisfaction Not suprisingly a deafening silence follows interrupted only by all the rude mouth noises shamelessly wine lovers muster Anax Classical Greek for King
Deep goldengreen Initially reductive Opening up to toasty vanilla notes Textured palate underpinned with a interplay of bee pollen butter nutty chestnut lees creaminess enveloped in a continental freshness Broad and complex Remarkable length and balance With time terroir will reveal itself The new benchmark It has the structure to follow medium bodied red wines Essential to carafe Best 2012 2022
Wine: Anax Chardonnay Antonopoulos Vineyards
Year: 2010
Link: http://www.antonopoulos-vineyards.com
Score: 18,5
Type: White
Variety: Chardonnay
Area: Peloponnese