Antica Terra Antikythera 2017
Antica Terra Antikythera 2017
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Antica Terra Antikythera 2017

Antica Terra
$340.00

Grape: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2017
Type: Red

Sourced from the rocky estate vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills, this red wine showcases the performance of Pinot Noir on extreme geologies. The vines grow directly into a field of pre-fractured sandstone and basalt, forcing the roots deep and locking in high natural acidity. Winemaker Maggie Harrison utilizes whole-cluster fermentation driven entirely by native yeasts to emphasize a savory, texturally complex mouthfeel. It ages in a selective mix of low-toast French oak barrels to allow the components to settle.

It exhibits a translucent ruby hue, opening with fragrant aromatics of wild raspberry, blood orange, tea leaves, and wet earth. The palate is medium-bodied and tightly structured, balancing primary red currant fruit with a mineral tension. Firm, fine-grained tannins provide a tactile grip that demands cellaring or decanting before serving. A sharp, thread of coastal acidity keeps the palate refreshed and through mid-palate volume.

Maggie Harrison is a first-generation winemaker, having grown up in the Midwest. With an educational background in International Relations and Conflict Resolution, she fell in love with wine while working in restaurants and set out to follow that passion and create wine. She went on to land the position of assistant winemaker to Manfred Krankl at Sine Qua Non, where she remained for eight years. She is currently the co-owner and winemaker for Antica Terra, producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay since 2005, and is also responsible for the Syrah at Lillian Winery in Santa Barbara. Initially, it had been her goal to only produce a singular wine, but during blind tastings for blending, she felt the various components would not necessarily complement one another and would overpower or detract from the other. Rather than force them to homogenize, each of the wines bottled today chases the individual and opposing personalities each possesses. Her wines are impeccably expressive and worth seeking out if you can get your hands on them.

I have always found with these wines that I am never compelled to overly coax the wine in tasting. They are distinctive, singular wines that, when given the time to allow the wine to come to you, make the transcendence to art.

- Audrey Frick (9/17/2023) © 2024 Jeb Dunnuck