Sigalas, Santorini Barrel Assyrtiko, 2024

The Santorini 'Barrel' Assyrtiko is magnificent. The intensity is stepped up from the unoaked bottling from Sigalas, and it displays distinctive aromas of honeysuckle, peach, lemon zest, crushed oyster shell, samphire and sea breeze, followed by understated yet rich and toasty barrel aromas - these are subtle rather than dominant, and superbly well-integrated into the whole. On the palate, it has fabulous, full, rich, texture, with marvellous balance and harmony of the elements of alcohol, acidity and fruit character, all working in concert. Delicious immediately, this should also evolve deliciously with further bottle age over the next 2-3 years.