Part 4 Vasilikon winery
Wine journey starts
Our wine trip around Cyprus begins from Laona-Akamas west of Paphos. Kathikas is a small village 15km. from Polis Chrisouhous and 16km. from Paphos. Vasilikon winery is first winery of our journey. Microclimates of the region is affected from the sea breezes and with influence of the Stavros tis Psokas forest, Evretou dam and Stavros tis Psokas river making winters and summers at this region temperate. In fact of all wine resurges we should give the altitude of the region which is 200- 650m and of course the soils – Limestone, Clay and Gypsum-Clay beds.
Vasilikon winery
The history of the winery starts in 1993 by the brothers Heracles, Georgios and Giannis Kiriakides. Most of the grapes are picked from family’s vineyards. Vasilikon winery use to make their wines grapes from- Xynistery and Morokanella for the white wines, Maratheftiko, Lefkada, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Shiraz and Merlo for the red wines.
Wine labels of the winery and characteristics.
Vasilikon white wine
It is made of 100% Xynistery grape and this variety is genetically from Cyprus and is second growing grape with 1250 acres approx, blended with Mavro is use to make Commandaria.
Vasilikon white wine tasting notes:
Appearance – is all we understand from the colour of the wine
Clarity: clear
Intensity: medium –
Colour: lemon
Nose – all the aromas what appear
Condition: clean
Intensity: medium +
Development: youthful
Aroma characteristics: citrus fruit -lemon and lime zest, stone fruit –apricot and peach, floral-blossom, green fruit –green apple, tropical fruit- melon.
Palate – the favors coming with tasting the wine
Sweetness: dry
Acidity: medium +
Alcohol: medium +
Body: full
Flavor intensity: medium +
Flavor characteristics: citrus fruit- lime zest, stone fruit- apricot, green fruit –green apple and pear, tropical fruit –melon and unripe banana.
The wine is good balanced and all aromas appear at the palate with slightly more green notes.
Length: medium +, after taste is more than 30 minutes
Conclusions – price and
Quality: good
Readiness for drinking/ potential for aging: drink now: not intended for aging
Identity: Cyprus, Laona-Akamas region, Xynistery grape
Price category: inexpensive
Making analyses about wines what you love it or you will drink often you will want to write highest marks but all is about aromas, flavors, price and quality. If I have to give points from 1 to 5 for Vasilikon white new vintage 2018 – 3.7 Best at August and September 2019 in this period will be 4.0
Food pairing: Grill Halloumi, Avocado salad, Seafood salad, Chicken breast, Carbonara, Pasticho, Bakaliaros (cod fish), White Grouper, Sea bass steam with fresh veggies, grill or boiled Cyprus prawns and others.
Serving temperature: 8-10°C and use Zalto Burgundy glass airing will open all aromas fast.
Morokanella
It is made of 100% Morokanella grape variety of Cyprus.
Morokanella Vasilikon winery tasting notes
Appearance:
Clarity: clear
Intensity: pale
Colour: gold
Nose:
Condition: clear
Intensity: medium –
Development: developing
Aroma characteristic: Floral- chamomile, citrus fruit- lemon, tropical fruit –passion fruit and ripe melon, stone fruit- nectarine and green fruit- golden delicious (gold apple).
Palate:
Sweetness- dry
Acidity- medium –
Alcohol- medium +
Body- medium +
Flavor intensity: medium ++
Flavor characteristic: At first I have nice chamomile tea with slice of lemon, all flavors and aromas are balanced, at the palate have mostly gold apple flavor, nectarine, chamomile and ripe melon.
Length-medium
Conclusions:
Quality: very good
Readiness for drinking/ potential for aging: Can drink now has potential for aging
Identity: Cyprus, Laona-Akamas, Morokanella grape variety
Price category: inexpensive
Morokanella Vasilikon 2018 – 3.9 points
Food pairing: Anari cheese with carob syrup with guava fruit, fish meze, prawns saganaki, chicken curry, and deep fried calamari tossed in sweet chili sauce, Melitzanokeftedes, grilled red mulled, grilled tiger prawns with garlic sauce.
Serving temperature: 8-10°C and use Riesling glasses are both taller and narrower than Chardonnay glasses. The taller, tapered design of the glass concentrates the fruity aromas in the upper portion of the bowl, and the long stem keeps the wine chilled.
Agios Onoufrios- red wine Vasilikon winery
It is very good balanced blend of Maratheftiko, Lefkada, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Shiraz and Merlo.
Agios Onoufrios red wine tasting notes:
Appearance:
Clarity: clear
Intensity: deep
Colour: ruby
Nose:
Condition: clean
Intensity: medium +
Development: developing
Aromas characteristics: black fruit- black cherry, blueberry, dried fruit –prune, herbaceous –blackcurrant leaf, herbal –fennel, maturity – mushrooms and forest floor.
Palate:
Sweetness: dry
Acidity: medium +
Tannins: medium-
Alcohol: medium –
Body: medium –
Flavor intensity: medium-
Flavor characteristics: earthy flavors are giving us information for barrels (3 months), fruits are black cherry, blackcurrant and blueberry, and herbal notes are really complex with the first aromas.
Length: medium –
Conclusions:
Quality: good
Readiness for drinking/ potential for aging: Can drink now has potential for aging
Identity: Cyprus, Laona-Akamas, Blend, 3 months in barrel
Price category: inexpensive
Agios Onoufrios Vasilikon 2016 – 3.6 points, if I have to speak about his pick of the wine I will give it 5 more years and than 3.9 points.
Food pairing: Kleftiko, Beef Stifado, Lamb chops with mint sauce, old cheese, and mushrooms grilled with thyme.
Serving temperature: 16-18°C and I will recommend decanting, even for young wines like this, airing will open all aromas faster. Fusion air Pinot Noir wine glasses from Zalto are inexpensive and the broad bawl allow the delicate aromas to accumulate.
To be continued………..
