Ktima Gerovassiliou – Estate Red, Epanomi – 2020

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:
2019 was an excellent vintage, being cited as perhaps one of the best of the past 20 years. Winter was cold, with snow, but without extremely low temperatures. Bud-break started during the second half of March with flowering mid-May. May and June saw average temperatures and some rain showers; however on 10th July, heavy rains fell which replenished soil water reserves. From mid-July to the end of the harvest, daytime temperatures were consistently 30 to 32°C falling to 19 to 20°C at night. The wines are full-bodied, with excellent acidity and are rich in 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 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 marine fossils, as the surrounding hilly area was formed by sea deposits.

WINEMAKING:
The three varieties Syrah, Limnio (pronounced LIM-neeo) and Merlot were vinified according to the classic red fermentation methods. The wine was then aged in French oak barrels for approximately 12 months and was bottled without any fining or filtration.

TASTING NOTE:
Concentrated yet elegant, the Estate Red offers a pronounced bouquet of black fruits, ripe plum and wild cherry, complemented by a hint of spice. On the palate gentle tannins are enhanced by great fruit intensity. It is round and harmonious with a long, spicy and persistent finish.

GRAPE:
Syrah 60%, Limnio 20%, Merlot 20%.

COUNTRY:
Greece

REGION:
Macedonia

SUB-REGION:
Epanomi