Santorini Barrel Sigalas 2023

The Santorini Barrel by Sigalas is a product in which warmth and softness enhance the qualities of Assyrtiko, an indigenous variety crafted by the Sigalas winery in wood, both during the winemaking phase and in the aging phase. The Mediterranean citrus fruits open the olfactory impact of the nectar, which then unfolds, between nose and mouth, with tertiary tones developed precisely during the aging phase. A label that calls for pairings based on fish, but that can also be tried with a selection of aged cheeses to test its character.

This Santorini Barrel Sigalas originates from pure grapes of an indigenous vine of the island, Assyrtiko. The vines of this variety – which have an average age of over 60 years – grow with a typical training form, the basket, which consists of rolling the long shoots of the vine on the ground, so that the leaves of each plant serve as a shelter from the sun's rays and the winds that sweep the island during the day. The must ferments in oak barrels of different capacities, both 225 liters and 500. We then proceed with the final aging phase, in which the wine remains for six months maturing on the fine lees in barriques and oak barrels, new at 30%.

The Sigalas Santorini Barrel presents itself visually with a golden yellow color endowed with a particular brightness and brilliance. The nose is comforting, moving on warm and layered tones, starting from citrus fruits and then enriching itself with more woody nuances and spicy hints. The entry on the palate is delicate, characterized by a good enveloping structure, in which the taste is aromatic and well aligned with the aromas already perceived during the olfactory analysis. A bottle that positively impresses not only those who approach it for the first time but also those, like the great critic Robert Parker, who are used to tasting wines daily. The label is to be included in the wish list.