Chateau Semeli (Kokotos)

Anne Kokotos Nutshell... Company Name:   Domaine Kokotos     Location:   Stamata, Attika, Central Greece     Oenologist:   Antonis Popolanos     Products: Semeli White       Thyoni Mantinia       Chardonnay       Roditis Sur Lies       Vareli       Sauvignon Blanc       Riesling       Rosé       Semeli Red       Cabernet     Nemea     To contact this company click here       George Kokotos George and Anne Kokotos built their home on the northern slopes of Mount Pendeli in 1979. There, at 450 meters in the traditional winemaking village of Stamata--just beyond the edge of Athens' ever northward-creeping sprawl--they planted Cabernet and Merlot in the hope that the combination of a favorably cool microclimate and substantial elevation would suit the production of superior red wine. In an effort to meet international standards, the couple secured Antonis Popolanos, a Bordeax-trained oenologist and vineyardist whose impressive knowledge of Greek and international viticulture assured a balanced approach to what would become a significant pallette of indegenous and foreign cultivars. In an area once known primarily for its bulk-oriented Savatiano production, the estate's vines were cultivated using the Guyot trellising and pruning system. While their vines matured, the couple picked carefully through the produce of neighboring Savatiano growers, ultimately pioneering a serious white wine that has been a model for the increasing numbers of Attikan vintners now producing similarly high quality wine from the variety. Glass doors give the winery's multi-use porch an open feel. Now, more than twenty years later, the estate has seven hectares of plantings which, in addition to Savatiano, include Cabernet, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The growing season is longer there there than in most of Attika. Mount Pendeli experiences winter snowfalls and cool nights during the growing season. As a result the Semeli wines display a healthy combination of fruit and acidity that is somewhat atypical of the region. The Chateau Semeli name also adorns Nemean Agiorgitiko, Mantinian Moschofilero and Roditis from the northern Peloponessos. Rolling foothills of Pendeli George Kokotos is a civil engineer and businessman who, among other accomplishments, is behind some of Greece's most respected resort properties. His wife Anne is English-born. From the beginning, their cosmopolitan nature has had much to do with their philosophy concerning winemaking and marketing. Meeting international standards in both these areas has been the key to achieving a staid reputation as a quality producer both within and beyond Greece. The winery occupies a plateau overlooking the vineyards The Kokotos portfolio of fourteen labels appears to be stretching the capacity of the current facility to its limits. During our meeting Anne Kokotos spoke yearningly of plans to rebuild it. The winery's visitor center, however, needs no upgrading. In addition to the winery's offices, the well designed building features a handsome retail space, conference room and a large and comfortable porch ideal for accommodating large groups for tastings and other events. Indeed the winery is a hub for many activities, including large and small tastings, seminars on viticulture and winemaking, wine lectures, wine dinners, art exhibits and book presentations. The wines: Semeli White 2001 This 100% Savatiano has a pale color but strong, floral nose. Its fruit component is light, burt even, featuring barely ripe pear and a touch of citrus. Acidity is pronounced, body is towards full. It is bone dry with power to spare at the finish. Thyoni Mantinia 2001 This cold-fermented 100% Moschofilero has light brass color with green hints at the rim. Its nose exhibits some of the classic rose associated with the variety. Its clean pear and citrus fruit is balanced nicely by a soft acidity that finishes with a pleasant citrus end taste. Ktima Koustou Chardonnay 2001 This Chardonnay has a soft honey nose, and a spare, linear palate. Despite the shortcomings of a hot vintage, this wine recoups with solid body and a lively finish. Roditis Sur Lies 2001 The grapes for this varietal are carried from Aigialia (Peloponessos) under refrigeration, then cold fermented in stainless steel. The wine then spends 10 months on its lies. Pale with green tints, it has a bountiful nose of flowers and sweet wood. Its fruit is round, characterized by lots of dry extract. It is mouthfilling while still light, balanced by great acidity and some minerals as well. Its long, tart finish is accompanied by some yeast and oak. Vareli 2001 This, another Aigialia Roditis, is barrel fermented. After fermentation it spends 7-8 additional months in oak. It has a consistent, light yellow color. Its nose exhibits lovely caramel. Its fruit is round and vibrant, mouthfilling and in balance with sturdy acid. It has a good finish and a soft aftertaste in which oak plays a substantial, but pleasant, role. Retail display Riesling 2001 This wine, which may be the first Attikan Riesling, has strong aromas typical of the variety. Its fruit, is concentrated and round but softer than northern-clime versions. It has a, medium build, and a clean, long finish. Sauvignon Blanc 2001 Semeli produces under 1,000 bottles per year of this varietal. It has a ripe, fruity nose and golden color. Even fruit on the palate is supported by strong acidity and long, tart finish. Rosé 2001 This rosé from 100% Agiorgitiko is sourced from Nemean grapes grown at 700 meters. Its color shows the beautiful purple hue of Agiorgitiko, its nose is light with candy aromas. Its body in general and acidity are strong, its mid-palate dominated by citrus. Semeli Red 1999 A blend of 75% Agiorgitiko with 25% Cabernet (both from Nemea), it exhibits blue on its rim and a strong nose combining fruit, vegetation and wood. Its gives solid fruit and acidity in balance. Its finish is respectable with a berry aftertaste and none of the wood flavors its aromas would suggest. Preparation for a tasting Cabernet 1999 This estate-grown Cabernet spends two years in oak followed by another year in bottle. It has dark cherry color and a light nose of cedar, cut wood and red fruit. Soft, rich fruit has a mature flavor profile. It has a pleasant, woody end taste. Nemea 1998 This 100% Agiorgitiko spends 12 months in barrel, 6 months in bottle. A deep cherry color with light purple edges, it has a sweet nose with a hint of paint. The palate has a nice attack of fruit and acidity, though I would characterize its body as light. Light tannins prevail at the finish. Nemea 1999 Cherry red with purple edge, this Agiorgitiko has a medium nose of light cedar and forest floor. Medium bodied, with a soft palate, like the 1998 it has a good cherry attack, but austere fruit.

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