Previous 2020 vintage review: Beautiful skin-contact Assyrtiko made in stainless steel tanks with both freshness and light-hearted, yet equally serious charm.
Orange Oil and apricot dominate at first, with a captivating tannic grip making you smack your lips for more. Bergamot tea, peach candies and dates follow on the finish. Lovely!
More fun and approachable than some of the other wines, but make no mistake this is a smashingly good Ligas wine and excellently priced for the quality too.
For those unaware, Domaine Ligas was created by Thomas Ligas, who experiments in the vineyard and in winemaking since 1988. The vines are planted in the valleys of Mount Paiko, in the old unknown terroir of Pella, 50 km from Thessaloniki in Northern Greece. They use chemical-free farming since the 1990s and Permaculture farming since 2007.
You also may recognise the name Ligas from the Sous Le Vegetal project with Patrick Bouju, which was done by Jason Ligas.
New to Greek wine? Here's some basic Greek grape info!
Assyrtiko:
White grape with a powerful, broad aromatic spectrum, vibrant acidity and fantastic minerality. Citrus fruit, stone fruit, fresh flowers and a touch of saline.
Roditis:
Pink-skinned white grape. Can be quite round with more moderate acidity. Tart lemon and apple notes give freshness and a touch of melon for a summery kick.
Xinomavro:
Greece’s Nebbiolo (to some). Pale coloured which may fool you but the tense acidity and dense tannin structure let you know that there is some power here. Expect red fruit, savoury umami touches and maybe even some dried figs.
