Domaine Lyrarakis
Showing 1-5 out of 5 items
Hide All Details
Prices:
Domaine Lyrarakis,
Ready, but will keep,
A very appealing blend of the native Kotsifali and Mandilaria grapes with 30% Syrah, the deeply coloured and structured Mandilaria being a perfect foil to the paler but more aromatic Kotsifali. This is a perfect introduction to Greek indigenous grape varieties.
Demetri Walters MW, Hellenic Wines Specialist
Demetri Walters MW, Hellenic Wines Specialist
Bottle
£11.95
Case price (12)
£129.00
Saving
£14.40
Bottle 6 x 75cl10cs
£40.74
See All Listings
Domaine Lyrarakis,
Ready, but will keep,
Domaine Lyrarakis is located in the mountainous commune of Alagni, 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. Yet another seriously impressive wine from the estate, this Assyrtiko is grown at 580 metres’ altitiude in the Voila vineyard.
Like all the estate’s wines, it combines clear varietal character with mouth-watering freshness. On the nose, there’s a subtle stone-fruit character – more like the skin of a peach than the flesh – as well as aromas of ripe lime and melon. The palate is attractively round, almost waxy, but with a delicious bitter edge. The finish is long and balanced. A fitting and extremely successful accompaniment to fillet of sole, ideally on a sunny day in summer 2017 (assuming we’ll have a few).
Like all the estate’s wines, it combines clear varietal character with mouth-watering freshness. On the nose, there’s a subtle stone-fruit character – more like the skin of a peach than the flesh – as well as aromas of ripe lime and melon. The palate is attractively round, almost waxy, but with a delicious bitter edge. The finish is long and balanced. A fitting and extremely successful accompaniment to fillet of sole, ideally on a sunny day in summer 2017 (assuming we’ll have a few).
Bottle
£11.95
Case price (12)
£129.00
Saving
£14.40
Bottle 6 x 75cl6cs
£40.74
See All Listings
Domaine Lyrarakis,
Ready, but will keep,
The family-run Lyrarakis estate has made a habit of rescuing indigenous grape varietals from the brink of extinction – first the remarkable, laurel-scented Dafni, now the equally characterful Plytó. Grown in the spectacular Psarades vineyard, which sits close to 500 metres altitude, this is the only 100% Plytó in commercial production anywhere on the planet. It has a dazzling yellow hue and subtle aromas of white flowers and orchard fruit. There’s an engaging saline lick and ‘olive pit’ bitterness to the finish, as well as the finesse and freshness that are hallmarks of the domaine. I enjoyed this at first sip, but fell in love with it over a plate of whitebait.
Will Heslop - Wine Buyer Bart Lyrarakis heads up this family-run domaine which has made a habit of rescuing indigenous varietals from the brink of extinction – first the remarkable, laurel-scented Dafni and now the equally characterful Plytó.
Will Heslop - Wine Buyer Bart Lyrarakis heads up this family-run domaine which has made a habit of rescuing indigenous varietals from the brink of extinction – first the remarkable, laurel-scented Dafni and now the equally characterful Plytó.
Bottle
£12.50
See All Listings
Domaine Lyrarakis,
Ready, but will improve,
Bronze medal winner at the 2016 Decanter World Wine Awards
Produced in minute quantities from a two hectares plot near Douli, south of Heraklion, Bart’s acclaimed Thrapsathiri goes from strength to strength. Thanks to a pre-fermentation maceration and barrel fermentation and maturation, this wine possesses a textural grip that is complemented by hints of apricot, bruised apple, and bitter orange. A superb accompaniment to all manner of dishes; a real mezze wine! Demetri Walters MW - Hellenic Wines Specialist
Produced in minute quantities from a two hectares plot near Douli, south of Heraklion, Bart’s acclaimed Thrapsathiri goes from strength to strength. Thanks to a pre-fermentation maceration and barrel fermentation and maturation, this wine possesses a textural grip that is complemented by hints of apricot, bruised apple, and bitter orange. A superb accompaniment to all manner of dishes; a real mezze wine! Demetri Walters MW - Hellenic Wines Specialist
Bottle
£16.95
See All Listings
Domaine Lyrarakis,
Ready, but will improve,
Bart Lyrarakis and Co. love a challenge, be it rescuing varietals from the point of extinction or, in this case, crafting a wine of such finesse from the thick-skinned Mandilari, which most producers blend with Kotsifali in a bid to soften its potentially brutal tannins. Bart’s 100 percent Mandilari, from the Plakoura vineyard, is downright approachable, having been hand-harvested at precisely the moment when ripeness and acidity combined to maximum effect, then treated to 12 months in oak, and a further nine months in bottle prior to release.
Expect a complex nose of cooked plum, liquorice, jasmine and – the seductive influence of oak here – toffee and chocolate. What’s more, in light of its impressive structure, this is destined to improve over the next 3-5 years.
Expect a complex nose of cooked plum, liquorice, jasmine and – the seductive influence of oak here – toffee and chocolate. What’s more, in light of its impressive structure, this is destined to improve over the next 3-5 years.
Bottle
£18.50
See All Listings
Showing 1-5 out of 5 items
Domaine Lyrarakis, established in 1966 is located in the mountainous commune of Alagni (440m), south of the city of Heraklion, in Crete. The well-preserved 14th century stone-presses in the fields around the winery are a testament to the area’s long history of grape-growing and wine making.
The winery is at the forefront of viticultural innovation: It has been long championing obscure local varieties, such as the ancient white cultivars of Plyto, Dafni, Vidiano that were brought back from extinction and have since garnered much acclaim for their quality.
The extensive portfolio consists of a range of monovarietal wines (Vidiano, Plyto, Mandilari, Assyrtiko, Vilana, Thrapsathiri, Kotsifali) – some from single, “premium” vineyard plots, as well as blends of indigenous with international varieties (Syrah, Cabernet, Merlot). Quality remains keynote and the style emphasises fruit precision, purity and supple texture , placing the wines firmly in the modern camp, yet without flamboyance or exaggeration.
A distinctive rendition of the ancient sweet wine of Crete, Malvasia, completes the Estate’s extensive range. The wine is based on sun-dried Plyto, Dafni, Vidiano and Vilana and is hence a multi-varietal blend rather than a single varietal wine, which according to the Lyrarakis’ family, reflects closely ancient winemaking traditions in the island.
Lyrarakis estate has built on the traditions of the region, taking their wines in a more modern direction while retaining their sense of place.
Read Tom Cannavan's review of Lyrarakis winery: Domaine Lyrarakis has led the wine revolution on the island of Crete