T Oinos, Clos Stegasta Mavrotragano 2021

Wine Type: Red

Grape(s): 100% Mavrotragano

Country: Greece

Region: Tinos Island, Cyclades

Organic: Yes

Vegan: No

ABV: 14%

Winemakers: Alexander Avatangelos and Gerard Margeon

Winemaking: T-OINOS is a visionary winery on the windswept island of Tinos, Greece, where ancient granite and volcanic schist soils meet a philosophy of uncompromising precision viticulture. Founded in 2002 by Alexander Avatangelos and Gerard Margeon, and with winemaker Jérôme Bougnaud on board (Clos Erasmus, Dominio del Bendito, Niepoort), T-OINOS represents a new benchmark for fine wine in the Cyclades, producing crystalline, terroir-driven expressions of indigenous varieties.

The estate’s vineyards, carved into steep granite terraces at altitudes between 400 and 460 meters, exert the utmost viticultural discipline to tame the rawness of the natural environment. Located in Falatados and Stegasta, on weathered granite and sand interspersed with volcanic and schist veins, these are some of the oldest soils in Europe. Exposed to the fierce Meltemi winds and extreme diurnal shifts, the vines experience natural yield limitation and remarkable concentration. The combination of high-altitude stress, deep mineral soils, and sea-borne microflora leads to wines that are naturally low-yielding, highly expressive, and age-worthy. This is high stakes mountain viticulture by the sea.

T-OINOS cultivates two red varieties - Mavrotragano and Avgoustiatis - and two whites - Assyrtiko and Malagousia - with a focus on micro-vinification by parcel. Each grape is matched precisely to soil, aspect, and elevation, with winemaking that honours varietal character through gravity-fed fermentations, neutral oak, and extended lees ageing. Mavrotragano, often misunderstood elsewhere, becomes a noble, finely structured red in the hands of Bougnaud, while Assyrtiko, planted on decomposed granite rather than Santorini lava, gains lift, salinity, and a nervy mineral spine that rivals top Chablis.

The winery is designed for precision and restraint: indigenous yeasts, cold soaking, long macerations, and judicious use of French oak foudres and Stockinger barrels form the core of T-OINOS’ approach. Fermentation and élevage are adapted to the energy of each parcel and vintage, with no fining or filtration. Annual production remains small - fewer than 30,000 bottles - with flagship cuvées like Clos Stegasta Assyrtiko, Mavrotragano, and the rare Aï produced only in exceptional vintages.

This is 100% Mavrotragano - 2021 was a mild winter with a high amount of rainfall. Budbreak commenced at the end of March, later than usual. Flowering was set on spring, at the end of May with low amounts of rainfall. Temperatures in May were elevated, as they were in June. July was quite warm with excessive heat peaks at the end of it. During August temperatures continued to be high. The 2021 vintage as warm overall and was therefore characterised by high levels of concentration. Whole berry grapes with a small percentage of whole clusters were gently introduced in two and three and a half tonne open wooden vats. To gain more terroir expression, grapes were inoculated with the yeasts from their vineyards (a research program in collaboration with Biocepage). The temperature was controlled. Malolactic fermentation was completed in barrels. The wine matures for 10 to 12 months in 500lt oak barrels, 20% of which were new.

Tasting Notes: Deep red colour. Pepper, spicy aromas, fresh black fruit, cacao, and cherries aromas. The mouthfeel is rich, complex and dynamic with smooth and precise tannins. Long lasting finish and a great aging potential.