The 2016 Vintage report



The weather during the vegetative period

    The year started with low water supply and relatively high temperatures, leading us to an early but uneven expand of all varieties. Flowering was prolonged and uneven because of the continuous rain and low temperatures of May and completed in the end of the same month as usually. The rainfalls of May caused a lot of mildew spots which stopped in the beginning of June due to dry weather.   
    The first two months of summer were rather dry with ideal temperature levels and minimum rainfalls which led to an early veraison (10-15 days earlier). August had some rains which helped the maturation of the grapes, while the medium hot days and cool nights of the same month contributed to the maintenance of the acidity and the aromatic characteristics of all varieties. Composition of phenolic compounds in our red varieties also was positively affected.
    A period of non-stop rainfalls for four whole days during early September slowed down the maturation process mostly for Xinomavro and Negkoska. Thankfully, the weather was improved and the lack of rain afterwards allowed us to harvest both varieties in a great maturity level. The Xinomavro from Lakka area and specifically the vineyard of the Friends of Xinomavro “stole the show”.

    
Phenological stages of the vineyards
    Most of our varieties began the vegetative growth relatively early (start of April) while flowering took place regularly in the last ten days of May. Veraison started early for all varieties (mid July, early August) while the maturation process was also early, 5-10 days depending on the vineyard and variety. Malagouzia was harvested on August 22nd, Assyrtiko, Athiri and Mavrodaphne on the 6th of September while in the case of Xinomavro and Negkoska the harvest began on the 18th of September and lasted till the 27th of the same month.


Vineyard management of the year
    This year’s vintage went on without any serious problems. The early mildew in the young leaves of the vines in Krasna due to rainfalls in early September did not cause any serious damage, while oidium which usually appears during summer in the vineyards of Lakka was easily dealt with.  Because of the weather condition during the year, the only vineyards that were irrigated, were those of Mavrodaphe and Xinomavro in Lakka area.
 
The Highlights of the Vintage

Most early veraison of the decade.
Amazing colors and a great acidity in both white and red varieties.
Xinomavro had great potassium levels and as a result we got really good pH levels on the wines.
Excellent extraction of anthocyanins in Mavrodaphne and Negkoska, great in Xinomavro.

Assessment of the Year

    Argatia White: Great balance between acidity and alcohol, typically strong aromatic bouquet and a great full mouth.


    Argatia Red: Nice balance between acidity and alcohol, strong color and a great body with strong aromatic character, a vintage greater than the previous one.    
    
    Argatia Naoussa: Very good alcoholic levels, strong fruity aromas, good colors and excellent tannins. A very strong body with balanced acidity and a very good pH. This year’s Xinomavro seems a lot better than the past year’s