Makarounas Vineyards: fine wine from Cyprus
Website: www.makarounaswinery.com
Makarounas Vineyards was started by Theodoros Makarounas in 2016, although his family does have a history of grape growing. I’ve npt tried many wines from Cyprus before, but I was really impressed by these. This is the only winery in Cyprus working on an estate model, where they make wine only from their own vineyards, and this is likely part of the reason for their success.
The vineyards are in the west part of Cyprus, in the village of Letymbou, which is in Pafos, the largest wine region on the island. They have no phylloxera and the vines are ungrafted, with some of them centenarian. Farming is organic, and the soils range from crystalline gypsum to limestone to quartz. The wines tend to be very low in pH, ranging from 2.9-3.1 pH.
Production is 110 000 bottles a year, 55% of which are exported. Some of these wines are sold by The Wine Society in the UK.
THE WINES
Makarounas Vineyards Spourtiko 2023 Cyprus
10.5% alcohol. This is harvested at the end of October or early November, and it’s whole-bunch pressed then fermented in stainless steel. Lean, bright and pure, this is focused and slightly saline with a lovely mineral character. Such purity here. 93/100 (£21 The Wine Society)
Makarounas Vineyards Aerides Xynisteri 2023 Cyprus
12.5% alcohol. Xynisteri is the grape variety, and this is wild-ferment in stainless steel. Juicy, stony, bright and pure with lovely crisp citrus fruit and a hint of apple. Very pure, stony and juicy. 93/100 (£17.50 The Wine Society)
Makarounas Vineyards Amphora Promara 2022 Cyprus
Promara is the grape variety, and this wine has one week of cold maceration before going to amphora for five months. Nice stony mineral core with a hint of earth and clay. Very stony with some waxy notes, some salinity, and a mineral character. 93/100
Makarounas Vineyards Minthy Rosé 2023 Cyprus
This is Lefkardia. Stony and lively with a hint of sugar adding some texture. Fresh and layered with nice weight. 89/100
Makarounas Vineyards Maratheftiko 2020 Cyprus
This is aged for a year in barrel, with 25% new oak. Pure and fresh with cherries and spice, as well as some raspberry crunch. Stony and quite mineral, and with nice purity. 93/100
Makarounas Vineyards Maratheftiko 2020 Cyprus
13.5% alcohol. Aged 8 months in barrel, one-third new. Juicy, vivid and crunchy with sour cherries, raspberries and cranberries. Nice intensity with crunchy structure. Fresh and fine with lovely depth. 93/100 (£27 The Wine Society)
Makarounas Vineyards Yiannoudi 2021 Cyprus
This is fermented in open barrels and then aged 1.5 years in old oak. Lovely balance here with good structure and cherry, almond and raspberry notes, kept focused with good acidity. Beautiful balance here. 94/100
UK agent is Bancroft.
