Rizes 2, Vidiano-Assyrtiko 2019

The second vintage of Rizes 2, a joint venture of talented oenologist Iliana Malihin and vinegrower Spyros Chryssos from Santorini is a unique blend; 65% Vidiano from Fourfouras in Crete (pre-phylloxera vines around 80 years old) and 35% Assyrtiko from the extreme, Louros terroir, in Santorini.

It shows very well in the glass with a smokey, honeyed, tropical fruit character that is followed by a texturally friendly palate, with no edges, integrated acid and good, rather warm, finish with an alcohol of 14.5% abv. It is a forward and charming wine that could improve with a couple of years of cellaring. Not really sure though that I understand the concept of blending two powerful terroirs such as Fourfouras and Louros. I would prefer to see these expressions separately, finding that even with 35%, Assyrtiko from Louros gets most of the attention. 2000 bottles of total production.