Kanakaris NOTOS Merlot Mavroudi 2025
Kanakaris NOTOS Merlot Mavroudi
Region: Peloponnese, Greece
Vintage: 2025
Bottle size: 75cl
Grape: Merlot Mavroudi
ABV: 12%
This blend has enticing aromas of red cherry, raspberry and plum. The two varieties complement one another, with Mavroudi bringing additional structure and depth. On the palate, velvety tannins and vibrant red fruit lead to a juicy and fresh finish.
NOTOS (Greek for ‘South’) references Kanakaris’ Peloponnese homeland. Roditis is planted at between 450 and 700 meters above sea level on the north-facing slopes of Aigialeia, overlooking the Corinthian Gulf. The vines grow on Aigialeia’s sandy soils with a red and white clay topsoil on either side of the valleys and gorges of the five rivers of the Peloponnese. The vines have adapted well to the high elevation and sandy soils, which provide ideal conditions for slow ripening, aromatic concentration and freshness. The vines are both gobelet trained and on trellises. The family remains in constant contact with the winegrowers throughout the harvest to ensure that the vines are farmed with minimum irrigation and chemical pesticides.
The grapes were harvested by hand and carefully selected in the vineyards, then transported to the winery in small crates. The majority of the grapes were destemmed and crushed, with 45% left intact as whole berries for moderate carbonic maceration. This, combined with a brief pre-fermentation maceration and fermentation at moderate temperatures of 20°C in stainless steel tanks, helped to accentuate the vibrant primary fruit aromas. The wine was kept in the tanks for two months prior to bottling.
Aigialeia, in the northwestern Peloponnese, is among Greece’s most distinctive wine-growing regions. Set against the rugged terrain of the Panachaiko mountains, the area’s high elevations, northern exposure, steep, sloping vineyards and proximity to the Corinthian Gulf help moderate high temperatures, creating a growing environment unlike anything else in the area. It is here that Michalis Kanakaris founded his eponymous winery in 1979, focusing on indigenous varieties Roditis, Sideritis and Mavro Kalavrytino grown on Aigialeia’s sandy, red/white clay soils. Today, Kanakaris is run by the third generation of Michalis’ family, with brothers Stefanos and Michalis taking over the reins in 2009.
https://www.kanakariswines.gr