2016 Domaine Sigalas Domaine Sigalas, Santorini AA 750 ml

The Advocate and #1 Sommelier’s Favorite Greek White

Of Greece’s Domaine Sigalas, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate has said, “This is one of the island's great estates and a benchmark,” adding that if Sigalas “said ‘Burgundy’ and not ‘Greece’ on the label, you could double or triple the price.” Think: the more fresh and acidic wines of Chablis, rather than the opulent richness of the Cote d’Or and you’ve got a snapshot of today’s 2016 Domaine Sigalas “Aa” from Santorini. Three years in a row, the “Aa” has earned 92 points from Parker’s publication, and the 2016 is “right on track.” As the Advocate concludes, “I suspect more than a few wineries would be happy to have this as their top wine,” and we agree. We offered the 2015 last year, and it’s become a staple of our client’s cellars — at $19.99 per bottle and just 65 cases, we hope you don’t miss out.

Our friend, Michael Madrigale — Wine Enthusiast’s #1 Sommelier in America — agrees with the Advocate’s assessment, beaming, “On Santorini, three producers stand out far beyond the rest: Hatzidakis, Tselepos, and Sigalas.” Santorini is a special place — a now-dormant volcano in the middle of the Aegean sea — boasting 3,000 years of wine culture. Some of the greatest white wines on the earth come from Santorini — including “Aa,” produced from two of the island’s most important varieties — Assyrtiko, which lends a baseline of noble acidity, and Athiri, which lends more aromatic complexity.

Drinking a glass, you can almost taste the volcanic pumice stones, as well as salty sea breezes that whip across the Island. Full of briny, lemony brilliance, the wine practically screams for grilled mediterranean fish or octopus, the sort of fresh, simple cooking Greece is known for. We’re happy to offer this Advocate 92-point everyday white from this “benchmark” producer for a second year running.