Vintage 2009

the balancing year · most humid in thirty years · very late harvest

Nationwide 6.5 out of 10 · Confidence of rating: medium

Macedonia

Naoussa · PDO – Red 7.0 · White 6.5 (Confidence: medium)

Amyndeon · PDO – Red 7.0 (Confidence: medium)

Thessaly

Rapsani · PDO – Red 6.5 (Confidence: low)

Central Greece

Atalanti and Opountia Lokridas · PGI – Red 6.5 · White 6.5 (Confidence: low)

Attika · PGI – Red 6.0 · White 6.0 (Confidence: medium)

Peloponnese

Nemea · PDO – Red 6.5 (Confidence: low)

Mantinia · PDO – White 6.5 (Confidence: low)

Cyclades

Santorini · PDO – Red 6.5 · White 8.0 (Confidence: low)

Crete 6.5 · Epanomi 6.0 · Pangeon 6.0 · Peloponnese outside Nemea and Mantinia 6.0 (each as an overall value without separation by color)

After two extremely hot and dry years, 2009 came, as they say in the north, to replenish the water shortage. The vines got back what they had lacked in 2007 and 2008, and that is the reason why this vintage brought more moderate alcohol levels and more balance than its two predecessors.

The price for it hung in the air. During the growing season there was the highest humidity in thirty years, and summer temperatures did not rise high enough to slow down the downy mildew. Ripening dragged on: in Naoussa, the Xinomavro was not harvested until mid-October.

The north – Naoussa and Amyndeon at 7.0 each

A year for careful work. The late-ripening, thin-skinned Xinomavro stood under fungal pressure for weeks and demanded meticulous selection. Those who provided it got intense, fine aromas, medium color, full body and a harmony one would not expect from such a difficult year. Those who did not, lost.

Santorini – White 8.0

The highest value on this page, and the island owes it to what separates it from the mainland. It remained hot, dry and windy, received the year's water replenishment, but not the humidity problems. The harvest was early, without rain and without reports of rot. The Assyrtiko of this vintage is considered one with particularly long staying power.

The center of the country – 6.0

In Attika and in Epirus, the humidity was highest and so was the fungal risk. The advantage was the same as everywhere – acidity and freshness were preserved –, only it had to be defended against mildew and rot. The timing of the harvest was decisive.

Our wines

We have tasted two Greek wines from 2009, and it is the same one twice: the Trilogia by Christos Kokkalis from PGI Ilia, both times with 92 points.

So our stock says nothing about this vintage beyond this one bottle.

All tasting notes from 2009

· Christos Kokkalis Trilogia · 92

Vintage 2008 · 2009 · Vintage 2010 | All vintages