Bottle of Lyrarakis Kotsifali Red Queen, Crete, Greece, native Greek Kotsifali red wine

Kotsifali Red Queen 2021

Lyrarakis

Try if you like The Guv’nor

red fruits | mocha | spices

Sale price£17.99

Drew's Tasting Note

Luscious red fruits, black cherries, mocha and spices on the nose and palate lead to a smooth, fresh, tangy finish. A very pleasant glass that would pair well with roasted tomato dishes or Monterey Jack cheese.

Producer: Lyrarakis | Vintage: 2021 | From: Crete, Greece | Alcohol: 13.0 | Size: 75cl | Style: medium-bodied red, still, vegan | Grape: Kotsifali

2022 vintage, 16.5/20 points, Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, March 2019

The Winery

Brothers Manolis and Sotiris Lyrarakis established their winery in Alagni, Crete, in 1966. The village sits over 400 metres above sea level and has a winemaking history dating back to the 14th century, as evidenced by the stone presses that still stand near the winery today. Now run by the second generation, the estate is notable for its long commitment to reviving Crete’s indigenous grape varieties, with three (Dafni, Plyto and Melissaki) saved from extinction over several decades. Winemaker Myriam Ambuzer works alongside the family to bring these varieties to life, farming organically since 2020, using their own fertiliser made from winery and kitchen waste, and producing wines with a character that could only come from Crete.

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