Critics reviews
It is bursting with flavor. The tannins are ripe and subdued. Drink it young for best results. It will not really reward cellaring. Drink now-2016.
This interesting winery on Crete makes several monovarietal wines that I've come to like. They are mostly small production wines from obscure grapes, which usually turn out pretty well. They are well worth exploring.
(Mark Squires - eRobertParker.com #195 Jun 2011)
Oaky, toasty summer fruit aromas. Juicy, earthy palate with considerable berry fruit weight and chocolate hints.
(3/5 Stars - Decanter - May 2012)
(Tom Cannavan - www.wine-pages.com - Aug 2012)
Read the review: Domaine Lyrarakis has led the wine revolution on the island of Crete
About this WINE
Domaine Lyrarakis
Domaine Lyrarakis, established in 1966, is located in the mountainous commune of Alagni (440 metres above sea-level), south of the city of Heraklion, in Crete. The well-preserved 14th-century stone-presses in the fields around the winery are testament to the area’s long history of grape-growing and winemaking.
The winery is at the forefront of viticultural innovation, championing obscure local varieties such as the ancient white cultivars of Plytó, Dafni, and Vidiano, that it rescued from extinction.
The winery’s extensive portfolio consists of a range of monovarietal wines (Vidiano, Plytó, Mandilari, Assyrtiko, Vilana, Thrapsathiri, Kotsifali) – some from single, “premium” vineyard plots, as well as blends of indigenous and international varieties (such as Syrah, Cabernet and Merlot). Quality remains key and the style emphasises fruit precision, purity and supple texture – placing the wines firmly in the modern camp, yet without flamboyance or exaggeration.
Kotsifali
The viticultural bastion of Kotsifali red wine grape is the island of Crete. It is mainly grown in the Heraklion Prefecture and sporadically on the Cyclades islands. Kotsifali single varietal wines bear all the hallmarks of traditional “Southern Mediterranean” wines: low in colour, relatively high in alcohol, with smooth tannins and soft acidity. Kotsifali finds in the other major red grape variety of Crete, Mandilari (aka Mandilaria) the perfect complementary blending partner:
In addition to augmenting Kotsifali ‘s tannin content and tempering its alcoholic strength, Mandilari deepens the colour in wine blend and makes it more ageworthy. Crete’s major Appellations of Peza and Arhanes actually stipulate that Kotsifali should be blended with Mandilaria (typically on a 80/20 to 60/40 proportions)
Growers in Crete, locked for years into cooperative economies & practices, have been slow to explore the potential of low-yield farming. Those who moved on to apply modern vineyard practices have been rewarded with superior wines. Domaine Lyrarakis is one of the best exponents of the variety, blending it with Mandilari, and with Syrah in two different bottlings.
All showcase the great potential of the grape in both modern and traditional styles. Indeed the current wine-making style of Kotsifali emphasises streamlined, polished tannins and reflects the desire to yield, fruity, forward-drinking , graceful and subtle wines.
For anyone wanting to get to grips with the soul of red wine in Crete, Kotsifali is the prime example.
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Description
Native varietals Kotsifali and Mandilari combine here with the better-known Syrah to create a red wine of great finesse with a delicious berry fruit character.
The bouquet displays fresh blackberries, but there is also a spicy note, and the whole brings to mind the lovely, peppery wines of the Northern Rhone but with an added dimension of flesh. As one would expect with a wine containing a good dose of Syrah there is firm acidity at the finish and some tannin, and I would definitely look on this as a food wine, delicious with grilled lamb.
Winner of the Decanter World Wine Awards 2012 - Bronze Medal
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