Vinsanto Late Release from Estate Argyros is an aged, select iteration of their iconic dessert wine, released only after an extended maturation period in oak barrels and additional bottle aging. It is produced from Santorini’s native varieties Assyrtiko, Aidani and Athiri, sourced from very old vines growing on volcanic soils with minimal yields and exceptional concentration.
After harvesting, the grapes are sun-dried for several days, naturally increasing sugar levels and intensifying aromas. Fermentation begins spontaneously with native yeasts and progresses slowly due to the high sugar content.
The wine then ages in old oak barrels for significantly longer than the standard Vinsanto, followed by further aging in bottle before release - hence the name Late Release. In the glass, it displays a deep amber color with copper reflections.
The aromatic profile is layered and complex, featuring dried fig, dates, candied orange peel, honey, caramel and toasted almond, with subtle oxidative notes of wax and warm spice. On the palate, it is dense, concentrated and almost liqueur-like, yet the naturally high acidity of Assyrtiko keeps the wine fresh, vibrant and never overly sweet.
The finish is exceptionally long, with a distinctive saline minerality that reflects Santorini’s volcanic terroir. Vinsanto Late Release is a contemplative wine - powerful, elegant and shaped by time - ideal for pairing with aged cheeses, nut-based desserts or simply enjoyed on its own.
Producer
Estate Argyros is a family-owned winery on the island of Santorini, founded in 1903 in the village of Episkopi Gonia, in the heart of the island’s volcanic wine-growing zone. The estate covers more than 120 hectares of vineyards, making Argyros one of the largest private vineyard owners on Santorini.
Most vines are 70-100 years old, while some parcels of Assyrtiko exceed 150-200 years, resulting in extremely low yields but grapes of remarkable concentration and purity. The terroir is harsh and distinctive - volcanic, rocky and sandy soil with almost no organic material, naturally protecting the vines from disease and allowing them to remain ungrafted on their original rootstock.
The traditional training method known as kouloura, where the vine is shaped into a basket, protects the grapes from strong winds and intense sun. The winery is especially devoted to the native variety Assyrtiko, which here expresses a unique combination of salinity, minerality and sharp linear structure.
Argyros combines minimal intervention in the vineyard with precise winemaking, preserving both varietal character and terroir expression. Their dry Assyrtiko wines are known for high acidity, tension and exceptional aging potential.
The estate also produces other indigenous varieties such as Aidani and Mavrotragano. A signature of the winery is Vinsanto, a traditional dessert wine made from sun-dried grapes and aged for years in oak barrels, resulting in deep complexity and richness.
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