Ktima Gerovassiliou – ‘Avaton’, Epanomi – 2020-21

PRODUCER NOTE:
Ktima Gerovassiliou is the brainchild of Evangelos Gerovassiliou. He initiated the revival of the family vineyard by planting the nearly extinct Malagousia in 1981. This state-ofthe-art winery is now surrounded by 80 hectares of meticulously well cared vineyards on the slopes of Epanomi. Ktima Gerovassiliou guarantees consistent, high quality wines of international acclaim every year and his Malagousia remains the benchmark to this day.

VINTAGE
2020 – 2020 was characterised by being a premature and overall a dry year. A mild winter resulted in early budbreak – approximately 12 days earlier than usual. March and April were very dry, with April having unseasonably higher temperatures than usual, favouring early maturation. Temperatures cooled a little in the early summer and June saw warm, drought conditions which continued throughout the summer. Harvest produced 5% lower yields, but excellent quality fruit rich in primary flavours and exceptional phenolic ripeness.

2021– 2021 was characterised as a late ripening year in general. Although winter was mild and was without extreme low temperatures and snow, it was prolonged which delayed bud burst by 10 days. Rainfall in April, further delayed flowering, which took place mid May, but the rain provided optimal water supplies for fruit set. Early summer saw unseasonably high temperatures, but from mid-June to the end of July, the temperatures did not exceed 28-30°C and dropped to 18°C at night. Higher temperatures in August resulted in the French varieties reaching early maturation, while the Greek varieties were harvested 10 days later than usual. The red wines have excellent phenolic ripeness, great structure, and concentrated varietal aromas.

VINEYARD:
At Ktima Gerovassiliou, the single, private vineyard is cultivated with great care and enthusiasm, which leads to constant research and experimentation with Greek and international varieties. New technological advances blend well with tradition throughout the vine growing and vinification processes to produce high quality wines that carry all the distinct characteristics of the terroir of Epanomi. The climate in the region of Epanomi is Mediterranean with mild winters and hot summers, tempered by sea breezes. The vineyard is surrounded on three sides by the sea, which is three kilometres away, while its west side faces the Thermaic Gulf, Mount Olympus and the beaches of Pieria. The vines are grown in soils which are mainly sandy with a few clayey substrates and calcareous rocks. It is rich in sea fossils, as the surrounding hilly area was formed by sea deposits.

WINEMAKING:
The Limnio (pronounced LIM-neeo), Mavrotragano (Mavro- TRAH- gano) and Mavroudi (Mav- ROO- dee) grapes were each fermented in small oak casks of 50 hectolitres. The wine went through malolactic conversion before being aged in French oak barrels for a period of 12 months.

TASTING NOTE:
A luscious blend of three Greek indigenous varietals, where ripe dark fruits combine with notes of raisin, coffee, cacao and a hint of spice. Perfumed and polished, this smooth, medium bodied wine delivers sweet and sour notes of black plum, with depth and spice leading to a dry finish.

GRAPE:
Limnio 60%, Mavrotragano 20%, Mavroudi 20%.

COUNTRY:
Greece

REGION:
Macedonia

SUB-REGION:
Epanomi