Gaia Estate Assyrtiko Wild Ferment 2017

Wine & Spirits 94 points - This is a Santorini unlike any other. Cold macerated for 12 hours on the skins, then fermented without any added yeasts in an array of French and American oak barrels, as well as some made from acacia, it could stand in for a young Meursault. The initial oak scents are quickly subsumed in a tsunami of saline, chalky flavor, broad and savory, the texture as creamy as a meringue. It lasts on salt, lemon and chalk, ready to take on sliced leg of lamb with avgolemono..August/2018

Wine Advocate 89 points - The 2017 Assyrtiko Wild Ferment is arguably my most difficult Assyrtiko on a regular basis-it’s a little strange, producing odd aromas and flavor nuances. It was 50% aged in stainless steel, with the rest in a combination of Acacia and American oak (overall, the oak was 80% new wood). The wine comes in at 13.2% alcohol. It doesn’t always seem much like Santorini Assyrtiko, and you will certainly have to like the stylistic difference. Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not. Meanwhile, the price is elevated. This year, it has average depth-the vintage seemed to produce good depth in many wines, but I’m not sure that follows through here-better acidity and reasonable tension on the finish. The wood gives it a slightly sweet edge in its youth, which doesn’t hurt it. So far, so good. As is typical, though, it has a somewhat smoky nuance on the nose that follows through onto the palate. It may blow off-come back next year to be sure-but the unusual vinification and wood treatment will always change the expression of this grape, for better or worse. Some will love it right now, some never will..June/2018

Decanter 97 points - DECANTER WORLD WINE AWARDS 2018 - PLATINUM: Broad complexity on the nose with firm citrus, nettles, salted butter, preserved lemon and well integrated oak. Textured with ripe acidity on the palate along with salinity and precision. Superb length..May/2018

Closure: Plastic/Synthetic Alcohol level: 13.5% Grape composition: 100% Assyrtiko