{"product_id":"2023-artemis-karamolegos-kouloura-assyrtiko-santorini","title":"2023 Artemis Karamolegos, “Kouloura” Assyrtiko Blend, Santorini","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eToday, we’re showcasing the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eultimate volcanic white wine: Santorini Assyrtiko.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e There is simply no other place on earth like the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGreek island of Santorini\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e—a harsh environment that creates wines of unique, piercing minerality. This is exactly why \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArtemis Karamolegos has rocketed into the top tier of Greek winemakers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Taking the reins in 2003, he modernized the estate while preserving its invaluable, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e80-year-old heritage vines. Woven by hand into \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ekoulouri\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (basket wreaths) to survive the fierce Aegean winds\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, this ancient training system gives the cuvée its name. Because these vines grow on their own original rootstocks in a phylloxera-free desert of volcanic ash, this flagship bottling delivers a structural grandeur that makes world-class Cru white Burgundy at this price point a thing of the past.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePound for pound, this instant classic delivers more profound pleasure and intellectual tension than just about any white wine in our arsenal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Built on a foundation of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e90% Assyrtiko\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e flanked by a 10% co-fermented whisper of n\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eative Athiri and Aidani, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ethe blend is pure genius, draping soft Mediterranean stone fruit and delicate florals over Assyrtiko's explosive, raw volcanic power. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStylistically, it is a cellar-worthy shapeshifter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e: it possesses the mouth-watering salinity and smoky, gunflint drive of a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003etop-flight Chablis Premier Cru, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecombined with the low-pH, electric acidity of a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGerman Grosses Gewächs Rieslin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eg. With time in the bottle, it will echo the smoky, textured, crushed-stone marine quality of an Etna Bianco before eventually evolving into the rich, lanolin, and honeyed complexity of an\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e aged Hunter Valley Semillon\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e—all without ever seeing a single kiss of oak. Global demand has rightfully caused Santorini Assyrtiko prices to climb, yet this limited U.S. release remains a spectacular, blue-chip value.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePull the cork, pour it into a Burgundy stem—chilled, but not ice-cold—and prepare for liftoff. The nose immediately erupts with a vivid symphony of citrus blossom, white plum, and ripe quince, backed by a savory twist of orange zest and anisette. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe palate unleashes a dense, layered wave of lemon curd and piercing, mouth-watering saline minerality, entirely driven by the smoky, matchstick strike of pure volcanic pumice\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The finish is long, chiseled, and impossibly persistent, leaving a briny, sea-spray residue that begs for a plate of charcoal-grilled octopus or rich, olive-oil-drenched local sea bass. This is an absolute must-have for the serious terroir-driven white wine enthusiast. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46863694987318,"sku":"SOMM2607-ART23KLASSYR-750","price":68.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/sommselect.com\/products\/2023-artemis-karamolegos-kouloura-assyrtiko-santorini","provider":"SommSelect","version":"1.0","type":"link"}