No compromise on quality for Argyros Estate in Santorini

By Yiannis Karakasis MW

In a brave, but completely understandable, move based on quality criteria Argyros Estate announced that his premium and highly rated cuvées would not be released from vintage 2021. This applies to Cuvées Monsignori and Evdemon (placed as #1 and #2 in 50 Great Greek Wines), Cuvée Nykteri, Aidani, and Pure from sister winery Volcanic Slope Vineyards (also placed in the top 10 of 50 Great Greek Wines). Moreover, no part of the estate's grapes was led to the drying process, which means that the First & Late Release Vinsantos will not be released either.

The decision was made following the very challenging harvest that was marked by a combination of drought and heat, which resulted in high alcohol and correspondingly high pH (more about the harvest 2021 in the article Santorini harvest 2021: Into the danger zone). Another problem, according to the Santo Cooperative Harvest Bulletin, was the imbalance and unevenness in the ripening of the grapes on the vines of the same vineyard and even within each separate bunch.

“The wines are of high quality, but not on the same level as the Monsigniori 2017 and 2018 released to the market or Evdemon 2016”, comments owner and vigneron Matthew Argyros, who is known to be obsessed with quality. The grapes that will not be included in the above wines will be used in Assyrtiko 2021, which will be released in April 2022 at the same price, but in greater quantities. (165,000 from 100 to 120,000 usually).