Alpha Estate Malagouzia Single Vineyard Turtles – Off The Endangered List

An almost lost grape variety is now beginning to thrive in Greece.

100% Malagouzia from the Turtles subregion in the Amyndeon plateau, Florina, north-western Macedonia, Greece.

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The Alpha Estate Malagouzia Single Vineyard Turtles has an SRP of $18 and is available for as low as $14. Sample submitted for review.

From the bottle:

Turtles is the name of the single vineyard block, chosen by ALPHA ESTATES winegrowing team to reveal the typical expression and unconditional character of Malagouzia. The vineyard ecosystem called Turtles is an ancient nesting area for the local turtle species that we continue to preserve and protect. The vineyard is located at an altitude of 670 meters, at the south block of our Estate, with northwest exposure, on low fertility soil of excellent drainage, facing Petron lake.

White vinification, cold soak-skin contact. Maintenance of wine “sur lies” for two months with regular stirring. Brilliantly, pale yellow-greenish. Strong and lively nose, typical Malagouzia, suggesting floral aromas, sweet spices, citrus with a note of honeysuckle, balancing on the palate with crisp acidity, complexity, length and finesse. Excellently married with green salads, baked vegetables, pasta, low fat fishes and a wide variety of Mediterranean seafood “Meze”.

13.5% Alcohol

Today’s wine is made from the Malagousia grape, a variety indigenous to Greece that was nearly extinct until recently. (OK it was actually the 1970s but since I was born in the 70’s I’m calling that recent.) Greece is one of the oldest winemaking regions in the world, so it’s no surprise that many indigenous varieties of grapes have likely come and gone. There’s no telling how many others we’ve lost, but we do know that here at Reverse Wine Snob we’re big fans of Greek wines and the indigenous Greek grapes that are still around. Whether we’re talking about Agiorgitiko, Xinomavro (the Greek Nebbiolo), or whites like Assyrtico and Moschofilero, Greece has a lot of great wine to offer.

The 2013 Alpha Estate Malagouzia Single Vineyard Turtles begins with a rather subtle but pleasant aroma of honeysuckle, melon, orange and peach. The easy to drink wine tastes light and crisp with lots of rich fruit (melon, apple, touch of tropical fruit, tangerine), a nice mouthfeel and good acidity. A touch of minerality flows into the very fresh, very long finish — so long, in fact, that you’ll still be tasting this one minutes after you swallow.

See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.