French red varieties and Crete: A passionate relationship that seems to intensify year by year, harvest by harvest.
The Syrah, hailing from the Rhone (although for many it took its name from the ancient Iranian city of Shiraz), has repeatedly demonstrated that it loves Cretan soil and particularly producers who appreciate it and know exactly how to demonstrate its characteristics.
The sophisticated oenologist Manolis Karavitakis is already known in Crete as the man behind some of the most famous wines of the Cretan vineyard. In the risky decision to start his own winery in Pontikiana of the Kolymbari area in Chania, he found an excellent ally in the French variety. Together with his son Nikos, they turned their full attention to the selection of ideal terroirs and to expressing the terroir of each one of them. In turn, they richly rewarded them with wines full of character and finesse.
For varietal Syrah 2012 of Karavitakis Vineyards, the fruit was harvested with great care from two selected, organically grown family vineyards with low yields. One in Chania and the other in Heraklion. Without substantial pressures and after a 16 days long fermentation at a controlled temperature, the 2012 Syrah was aged in French oak barrels of medium burning for 18 months.
Intense, spicy and with a red fruit extravaganza, the Syrah 2012 of Karavitakis Vineyards will make the hearts of Syrah lovers (and not only) pound. Let’s not forget that its price changes the value-money ratio in Syrahs forever...
