Aóri Kotsifali Dry Red 2023

Kotsifali is one of the principal indigenous red grapes of Crete and genetic research supports its status as a distinct, long-established Cretan cultivar. Traditionally it produces relatively pale, aromatic wines with modest tannin and comparatively high potential alcohol and was consequently often partnered with darker, more structured grapes such as Mandilaria. Its recorded history extends back centuries, including its association with the Cretan wine trade that flourished under Venetian rule.

Aimilios Andrei and Dimitris Skouras, the founders of Aóri (the name means “mountains” in the dialect of western Crete), sought old vineyards at elevation in the White Mountains of Chania. These vineyards are truly cinematic and visually demonstrate the massive geographic diversity of this narrow little Greek island. The 2023 comes from old, ungrafted Kotsifali at approximately 800 metres on schist. Half of the fruit was fermented as whole clusters with indigenous yeast before maturation in neutral oak and 1,000-litre foudres. At only 13% alcohol, it presents a particularly fresh interpretation of a grape historically associated with softer, warmer and more alcoholic Cretan reds, with red fruit, white pepper and the wild-herb character typical of the variety.