Tetramythos Mavro Kalavrytino Natur 2024

Tetramythos Mavro Kalavrytino Natur 2024

Tetramythos
$21.00

Grape: Mavro Kalavrytino
Vintage: 2024
Type: Red

Originating from the high-altitude, steep slopes of Aegialia in the northern Peloponnese region of Greece, this vibrant red is a masterclass in saving forgotten indigenous varieties. Cultivated organically in vineyards perched over 800 meters above sea level, the rare Mavro Kalavrytino grape thrives in cool mountain breezes blowing off the Gulf of Corinth. Winemaker Panagiotis Papagiannopoulos crafts this "Natur" bottling with minimal intervention, letting the wild mountain terroir speak for itself. The hand-harvested grapes undergo a spontaneous native-yeast fermentation with short skin contact in temperature-controlled stainless steel, followed by aging in neutral vessels. Bottled completely unfiltered, unfined, and with minimal sulfur added, it offers an unvarnished, wonderfully alive snapshot of Greek alpine viticulture.

In the glass, it shows a luminous, translucent ruby color with bright magenta glints. The aromatics jump out immediately with high-toned freshness, bursting with wild pomegranate, sour red cherry, crushed rose petals, and a distinct herbal whisper of mountain oregano and cracked pepper. On the palate, a "crystalline" core of bright, cool-climate acidity cuts straight through the crunchy red berry profile, giving the liquid an extraordinarily light, fluid agility. Subtle, fine-grained tannins provide just enough structural frame to give the mid-palate grip without feeling heavy. It glides into a mouthwatering, highly refreshing finish that leaves a persistent, savory impression of wild berries, crushed limestone, and dried herbs.

 

Tetramythos is a pioneering organic winery located in Ano Diakopto, on the northern slopes of the Peloponnese in Greece. Founded in 1999 by brothers Aristides and Stathis Spanos along with winemaker Panagiotis Papagiannopoulos, the estate is renowned for its commitment to minimal intervention and its high-altitude vineyards, which sit between 650 and 1,050 meters above sea level on the slopes of Mount Helmos. The cooling breezes from the Gulf of Corinth and the region's limestone soils allow them to produce wines with exceptional freshness, natural acidity, and a distinctive mineral character. The winery is particularly famous for its work with indigenous Greek varieties, most notably the rare Mavro Kalavrytino, which they helped save from extinction, as well as Roditis, Agiorgitiko, and Malagousia.

In the cellar, Papagiannopoulos employs a natural winemaking philosophy that includes spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts and the use of diverse aging vessels like clay amphorae. Their portfolio is divided into a classic organic range and a Natur line, the latter of which features wines made with zero or minimal added sulfites. One of their most celebrated creations is their Retsina, which is fermented in amphorae with high-quality resin from local pine trees, reinventing a traditional style with modern precision and purity. By focusing on site-specific expressions and traditional methods, Tetramythos has established itself as a leader in the Greek natural wine movement, producing artisanal bottles that reflect the wild, mountainous terroir of Aegialia.