Μarkou Kleftes 2017, an eye - opening Savatiano!

 

  Kleftes (meaning thieves in Greek) from Markou family winery in Spata, Attica is a double challenge and a big bet placed in 2009. On the one hand, Savatiano is a variety that reached its limit down in recent years, but which comes back stronger due to the excellent efforts of quality - conscious producers, and on the other it is vinified without the addition of any sulphites.

 

  Yiannis Karakasis MW comments: "You must hold excellent quality of fruit to exclude the addition of SO2 in winemaking and, despite the fact that 2017 was not the top vintage for the region, Kleftes (the Thieves) is a wonderful expression of the variety. This aromatic purity shows the excellent work that takes place in the vineyard''. 

 

 

 

 

'' ...On the palate it is attractively creamy and unexpectedly fresh...''  - Julia Harding MW for 2016 vintage

 

 

  Kleftes are now produced in 5.500 bottles (from 1,500 in 2009). Grapes are sourced from a 40-year-old, organic. single vineyard in Spata. Bush vines produce low yields (app 50 hl/ha) of high quality fruit.

 

  Yiannis tastes the wine and describes: "If you are used to Savatiano as a neutral variety, this wine is not such a case. The nose is very attractive, with peach and pear but also a little herbal with sweet scents. Despite the fact that no SO2 is used the nose is impressively clean.  At the same beat, the palate is fat yet very fresh and smooth without being heavy or oily. Alcohol is just 12.5%. In addition, it is a very food friendly wine with a wide range of dishes to match ... from pasta with white sauces to wild mushroom dishes or - why not - a grouper fish. There are few wines in the world that tick all these boxes under 9 euros!''