Diamantakos Naoussa Retrospective 2009-2021

By Yiannis Karakasis MW

Ktima Diamantakos is a small family estate in Mantemi, within the Naoussa PDO, on the eastern slopes of Mount Vermio. The vineyard is situated between 200 and 240 metres above sea level and surrounds the cellar, creating a compact yet diverse mosaic of slopes and exposures. Over a relatively small area, the vines face northwest, south, and east, offering the estate a variety of ripening patterns rather than a single, uniform expression.

The soils are mainly sandy clay, with sandy loam subsoils, gravel throughout, and sedimentary rock beds containing traces of calcium carbonate. They are low in organic matter and drain well, which is important in a region where weather conditions can be severe. Winters are cold and often harsh. Spring can be unpredictable, with frost and unstable conditions always a concern. Summers are warm, but the night breeze from Vermio helps maintain acidity and slows ripening. This combination of warmth, air movement, drainage, and late-season freshness is essential to the character of the wines.