Karavitakis Winery 2019 "Klima" Red Blend

The Wine

A blend of the almost-impossible-to-pronounce Kotsifali and Mavrotragano (90/10). Both varieties come from the family's organically-grown estate vineyards.

The wine's 'loud and proud' purpleness leads to equally enthusiastic aromas of sour cherries, blueberries and red currants. Butter-and-vanilla notes hint at some time spent in oak barrels, but these sweet notes are balanced by spiced tea and an attractive pepperiness that is the wine's clinching charm.

Juicy and elegant on the palate, this is a medium-bodied wine with moderate acidity and approachable tannins.

The Winery

The Karavitakis Family is a 4th generation grower/producer. Their great-grandfather planted significant acreage of grapes and olives, though back then there was one predominant type of indigenous grape varietal in the Chania region: the Romeiko. Virtually unheard of today, this obscure grape was joined by large amounts of Soultana grapes for the production of raisins. 

Fast-forward to today and you'll find a winery that has grown and adapted for today's global market. Fourth-generation Nikos Karvitakis (images, below) has taken the reins in caring for the family's organic vineyards growing several grape varieties that are indigenous to their island of Crete.