2017 Vintage report
The weather during the vegetative cycle.
Winter was rainy and rather cold, but we had a warm March and as a result, all varieties started their vegetative cycle relatively early, in the area of Lakka it began late March, while in the area of Krasna it started in the beginning of April. April was dry and rather cold so mildew was not an issue. The vines started blooming at mid May and fruit setting was complete before the end of the month. Summer was hot but with a temperature that did not exceed 37o C. Veraison appeared shortly after the 20th of July, earlier than any other year in the last decade. The main highlight of the maturing period was the great difference in temperature between day and night and that had a positive effect on the maturing of all varieties.
Phenolic stages of the vines
Bud break: End of March in Lakka, early April in Krasna.
Flowering: Mid May in Lakka, end of May in Krasna
Veraison: 15th July with Malagouzia and Mavrodaphe, end of July in Assyrtiko and Athiri, early August for Xinomavro and Negkoska.
Harvest: Malagouzia was harvested late August, and Assyrtiko and Athiri followed after ten days. Mavrodaphe was harvested 15th September and Xinomavro 24-28 of the same month.
Highlights of the vintage
In all varieties, seed maturity started early, favoring the production of more soft wines in red varieties.
Weather was rather warm during the grape veraison-maturing period, without any extreme heat and with cool temperatures during the night which resulted in a great maturity for all varieties.
Haroula White 2017: A very nice balance between acidity and alcohol, with alcohol being very well integrated, typical nose, more intense than the previous vintage, with a medium to full body.
Haroula Red 2017: Relatively high in alcohol with medium acidity, a really cherry like color quite intense, a medium body, aromas of red small fruits like strawberries, cherries and redcurrant. A smooth wine with soft tannins, a vintage better than 2016.
Argatia Naoussa 2017: Intense fruity aromas, small red fruits and berries. Color of a medium intensity, typical of xinomavro, nice and soft tannins with a medium to full body. Well balanced acidity but a relatively high pH for a Naoussa wine. A wine that look better that the previous vintage.