Oikonomoy Assyrtiko, "Phi", Domaine Economou - 2017

Greece is a land of classics, and for lovers of Assyrtiko, the ancient variety that’s made its way to Crete from Santorini, Yiannis Economou stands at the top of the pedestal of cult winemakers in this storied part of the country. Economou resurrected his family’s vineyard on the high Ziros plateau of eastern Crete in 1994 after half a lifetime learning his trade across Europe: first at the famous Istituto Superiore di Stato “Umberto Primo” in Alba and then with many years spent working in cellars across Germany, Bordeaux, and Piedmont. Economou’s mastery, as well as his love for indigenous varieties and low-intervention winemaking, is on full display with this oxidative Assyrtiko. Aromas of dried apples, beeswax, and sea salt morph into a complex palate, with notes of honey, Mediterranean herbs, and ample acidity. An instant classic.