Domaine Economou Oikonomoy Assyrtiko Crete 2016

Grape: Assyrtiko
Vintage: 2016
Type: White

Crafted by Yiannis Economou on the high-altitude Ziros plateau of Crete, this white wine represents a unique, long-aged style of assyrtiko. The fruit is hand-harvested from old, own-rooted bush vines that grow in poor, calcareous soils. Spontaneous fermentation occurs with native vineyard yeasts in old oak barrels, where the wine undergoes a controlled oxidative aging process. The producer holds the bottle in his cellar for years, releasing it only when it reaches peak structural development.

It pours a deep golden color, releasing an intense nose of dried yellow fruits, beeswax, and savory herbs. On the palate, the full-bodied, structured frame balances a broad, waxy texture with a sharp beam of mineral acidity. Savory flavors of honeyed quince and toasted nuts wrap around a dense mouthfeel. A strong vein of maritime salinity cuts right through mid-palate volume, keeping it fresh. It finishes long, dry, and clean, leaving a subtle oxidative edge.