2019 Domaine Lyrarakis, Dafni, Psarades Vineyard, Crete, Greece

  • White
  • Dry
  • Medium Bodied
  • Dafni
Ready - at best
Julia Harding MW
17.5/20
Product: 20191366637

Free standard delivery on orders over £200

In Bond purchases can be stored in our temperature-controlled warehouse

Covered by our quality guarantee

2019 Domaine Lyrarakis, Dafni, Psarades Vineyard, Crete, Greece
Colour White
Sweetness Dry
Vintage 2019
Maturity Ready - at best
Grape List Dafni
Body Medium Bodied
Producer Domaine Lyrarakis

Critics reviews

Julia Harding MW 17.5/20
Intense aroma of bayleaf and rosemary, dramatically herbal without being green or unripe. The small percentage that had skin contact has given this a brilliantly judged texture, just a very slight grip, so it is not just about the aromatics. Moderate acidity, but freshened by that grip and the low pH. Wonderfully aromatic and so true to the variety, without being a caricature.
Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com (May 2020)

About this wine

Dafni White

Grown exclusively in the mountainous area of Alagni near Heraklion in the island of Crete, Dafni is one of the most ancient grape varieties. The inscription “Dafnitos Oinos” (=wine made of Dafni grapes) can be seen on a copper vessel that dates back to the bronze-age (and is on exhibit in the museum of Chania in Crete).  The name Dafni derives from the Greek word "Dafni"   (=bay leaf/ laurel)  and the flavours found in the fresh grapes are indeed reminiscent of this herb. The Dafni grape variety is still very rare, and obscure, and was brought back from extinction in the 1980s thanks to the efforts of the vine grower Lyrarakis. Dafni is a late-ripening (harvested in October), prolific variety, and but needs very careful cultivation. The grapes are big, with thick skins, thereby preserving the aromas. The resulting wines display layers of complex botanical flavours  ( juniper to eucalyptus, spearmint) underlined  by refreshing, cleansing acidity. The wine makes a great accompaniment to dishes with herbal overlays like rosemary, thyme, marjoram.
Find out more

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.
Find out more

Need help?

  • Contact our customer service team for help placing your order


    Call us on 0800 280 2440


    Available 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday

  • Chat with a Berry Bros. & Rudd wine & spirits expert for advice on choosing the perfect bottle.

    A floating button will appear in the bottom right corner of the page, when live chat is available.

Delivery and Quality Guarantee

  • Free delivery on orders over £200.

  • Wines and spirits purchased In Bond from Berry Bros. & Rudd can be stored in our temperature-controlled warehouse.

  • Every bottle sold by Berry Bros. & Rudd is subject to our quality guarantee. If a wine or spirit is corked or faulty, we will replace or refund it.