Domaine Lyrarakis
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Domaine Lyrarakis,
Ready, but will keep,
The red grape variety Kotsifali is one of the mainstays of the island. Often paired with the other prolific local red, Mandilaria, this is a singe-varietal expression of the grape. Evoking dried herbs, white pepper and red fruits with an elegant mouthfeel and a savoury aftertaste. Structured with soft and polished tannins, mouth-coating,long finish. Very well made. Pair with grilled meats, charcuterie, olives or hard cheese. Drink: now to 2020.
Bottle
£9.95
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
£31.74
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Domaine Lyrarakis,
Ready, but will keep,
Our friends at Lyrarakis have done it again with this fabulous blend of indigenous varietals – Muscat of Spina, Vilana and Vidiano – and Sauvignon Blanc. The nose is complex and inviting: floral aromas characteristic of the Muscat family combine to great effect with Vilana’s delicate spice. There’s bags of ripe grapefruit too, for which Sauvignon Blanc, presumably, takes some of the credit. On the palate, expect mouth-watering acidity, which speaks of the altitude of the estate’s vineyards (500 metres above sea level). Although Okto sees no oak, it’s aged on its lees for six months, contributing texture and extra weight to the palate. An approachable yet truly fascinating wine, and the label’s not bad either. Bravo!
Will Heslop, Wine Buyer
Will Heslop, Wine Buyer
Bottle
£11.50
Case price (6)
£62.10
Saving
£6.90
Bottle 6 x 75cl 6cs
£38.76
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Domaine Lyrarakis,
Ready, but will keep,
If you’re yet to taste Dafni, you’re in for a treat. If you have tasted previous vintages, this wine will require no introduction – it’s among the most distinctive in the entire Berry Bros & Rudd range. Worldwide, there are just 15 hectares of Dafni under vine (the majority at the Lyrarakis estate) but expect that number to increase as winemakers tumble before its charms. Dafni ’16 combines the beguiling bay leaf and fennel aromas characteristic of the varietal with breath-taking freshness and purity of fruit – winemaker Miriam Ambouzer tells us ’16 yielded the highest quality fruit she’s seen in fifteen years at the estate.
Try Dafni with salt and pepper squid or on its own as a stimulating aperitif.
Will Heslop, Buyer. Berry Bros. & Rudd
Try Dafni with salt and pepper squid or on its own as a stimulating aperitif.
Will Heslop, Buyer. Berry Bros. & Rudd
Bottle
£12.50
Case price (12)
£135.00
Saving
£15.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 25cs
£43.26
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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
Will Heslop - Wine Buyer
Bottle
£13.75
Case price (12)
£148.56
Saving
£16.44
Bottle 6 x 75cl 2cs
£48.90
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Domaine Lyrarakis,
Drink now,
A historic wine which enjoyed huge success for 300 years while Crete was ruled by Venice, the tradition was to blend together a number of native Cretan grapes rather than use a single varietal. This blend comprises the white cultivars Plyto, Dafni, Vidiano and Vilana. Grapes are dried in the sun for nine days to concentrate the sugars and the must, and, after pressing, the wine is aged in new oak for a year.
You might expect the resultant wine, from such a warm climate, to be on the heavy side, but in fact the contrary is true. There is a high degree of lusciousness with rich, grapey, apricot-and-honey aromas, and plenty of weight on the palate, but there is also a real sense of elegance and freshness to the wine. Serve it with creamy fruit desserts or simply with ripe stone fruit such as peaches and nectarines, whilst sitting at an open-air table overlooking a Greek harbour.
You might expect the resultant wine, from such a warm climate, to be on the heavy side, but in fact the contrary is true. There is a high degree of lusciousness with rich, grapey, apricot-and-honey aromas, and plenty of weight on the palate, but there is also a real sense of elegance and freshness to the wine. Serve it with creamy fruit desserts or simply with ripe stone fruit such as peaches and nectarines, whilst sitting at an open-air table overlooking a Greek harbour.
Screwcap
H/Bottle
£16.00
Case price (6)
£86.40
Saving
£9.60
Screwcap
H/Bottle 6 x 37.5cl 12cs
£65.46
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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