Kir-Yianni - Assyrtiko The North 2022

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The vineyards of Kir-Yianni sit at 700 meters elevation in the Amyndeon appellation of northwestern Greece. The cold winters and hot summers of the region are mitigated by the influence of four nearby lakes. Relatively young (6-8 year old) assyrtiko vines are planted in sandy, nutrient-poor soils, allowing the wine to develop intense aromatics. Fermentation occurs in tank, followed by 4-5 months of maturation on fine lees, which results in a wine of textural complexity and savory character. In the glass this is medium-bodied, with waxy peach and golden pear notes, delicate white flower notes on the nose, and a savory, saline finish and mineral texture. 

The 2022 Assyrtiko is unoaked and comes in at 13% alcohol. This screw-capped Assyrtiko doesn't go for big, profound or complex, but it isn't $70 a bottle either. It's a super value in its lively style. It tastes great and it's crisp, dancing across the palate assertively. There's tension to go with the good, mineral-driven fruit. It's a youthful beauty that should hold well under screw cap. What it really needs at this point is a little more concentration. That perhaps makes it a better fresh white than an Assyrtiko per se, but those are thoughts for the future. However, what this can acquire with a couple of years of bottle aging (hopefully) is more expressiveness as the wine develops a bit. This a bit different than the 2021, but it has its own virtues. Overall, if I wasn't clear enough, I loved the fresh summer-wine feel here. It is a perfect warm-weather white.

90 points, Mark Squires, Wine Advocate (Jun 2023)

 

WA

90

Price: $18.99

In Mixed Case: $16.14

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Quantity Available: 19

Producer	Kir-Yianni
Country	Greece
Varietal	Assyrtiko
Vintage	2022
Sku	17078
Size	750ml