Alpha Estate Hedgehog Single Vineyard Rose 2020 (750ML)

94 VP

#2 Vinepair 25 Best Rosé Wines of 2021

This is a an elegant and balanced rosé. Quiet whiffs of strawberries and flowers give off a Provence vibe but this is all Greece. Good slight depth on the palate gives way to some calm moderate acidity. This is a well-structured pink that justifies sipping without food. Okay maybe pair it with a cheese plate.

Alpha Estate a sustainable winery located in the northwest corner of Greece has consistently impressed the VinePair team with its standout bottles. Its 2016 Xinomavro took first place on our top 50 wines of 2020 list and its rosé similarly stood out as one of the best. This wine’s bouquet of strawberries and flowers is reminiscent of pink wines from Provence but its salinity and quiet minerality reflect the terroir of Greece. - Vinepair

The 2020 Rosé Hedgehog Vineyard is a Xinomavro dry (1.8 grams of residual sugar and 6.7 grams of total acidity) unoaked and comes in at 13.4% alcohol. It is made using the saignée method. A little earthy and nicely focused this expresses the grape well for a pink and adds a little tension on the finish. Well balanced solid in mouthfeel and rather distinctive this is always a nice choice for a pink that can be paired with foods. - Mark Squires, Wine Advocate

Varietal Composition: Xinomavro 100%.

Region / Location / Vineyard: Amyndeon plateau. Amyndeon viticulture zone. North-western Macedonia. "Turtles" & "Hedgehog" sub-regions. "Turtles" sub-region is located at an altitude of 660 meters with northwestern orientation facing Voras mountain while "Hedgehog" sub-region is located at an altitude of 690 meters with northern orientation facing Petron lake and Voras mountain. 69ha of Linear privately owned vineyard situated at an altitude of 620-710 m.

Vinification: Destemming no crushing. Cold soak at 5°C for 12 hours and fermentation at gradually increasing temperatures offering aromatic complexity to the wine. Post maceration with steering the lies for two months.