Douloufakis, making impressive wines from Crete, Greece
Website: https://douloufakis.wine/en/
Douloufakis is based in the village of Dafnes, near Heraklion, in Crete. Vines are farmed organically and winemaking is currently in the hands of third-generation Nikos Douloufakis.
Nikos took over back in 1993, after finishing wine studies in Alba, Piemonte. He did the usual thing of planting some international varieties, which pretty much everyone in Greece with some ambition was doing at the time. He built a new winery, and changed the range. Then an important episode took place: Nikos decided to revive the fortunes of white grape variety Vidiano, which was in danger of extinction. This became a focus from 2000.
He also switched to organic farming for the estate’s 10 hectares of vines, getting certification in 2006. International exports followed in 2012.
Douloufakis Dafnios Vidiano 2025 Crete, Greece
12.5% alcohol. Really fresh and pure with chiselled citrus fruit. Nice density and focus here with a hint of grapiness. Lovely wine. 90/100
Douloufakis Tachtas 2024 Crete, Greece
14% alcohol. Another variety that was at risk of extinction. This is fermented in stainless steel and spends 5 months on lees. Concentrated and showing nice balance with pear and white peach fruit as well as some citrus brightness. There’s even some mint here. Stylish. 92/100
Douloufakis Alargo Assyrtiko 2024 Crete, Greece
13.5% alcohol. 5 hour skin contact, then after fermentation 10 months in stainless steel on lees. Powerful, lively and bright. Quite an intense wine with a salty twist complementing the concentrated citrus fruit. So lively. 93/100
Douloufakis Dafnios Liatiko 2022 Dafnes, Greece
This uses the Dafnes PDO which is only available for red wines. 12 months in large oak. So elegant. Light and textured with sweet strawberry and red cherry fruit, showing nice weight. Some salty hints too. 92/100
Douloufakis Dafnios Liatiko Grand Reserve 2020 Dafnes, Greece
14% alcohol. From a single vineyard with 40 year old vines, with extended maceration and then ageing 8 months in barriques. A lovely classic style: light, with notes of earth, spice, cherries and plums. Some sour cherry on the spicy finish. 92/100
Douloufakis Helios Liatiko 2014 Crete, Greece
14% alcohol. Grapes are sun dried for 7 days and then fermented in barrel. Complex, rich and intensity with notes of sweet raisin, melon and some salty tang. Such intensity, but there’s also balance here. 94/100
UK agent: Maltby & Greek https://www.maltbyandgreek.com/producer/douloufakis-winery
Older notes:
Douloufakis Dafnios White 2016 Crete, Greece
This is 100% Vidiano. Unoaked. Really clean, pure and fruity with a bit of stoniness. Pretty citrus and pear fruit. Fruity and a bit floral. 89/100
Douloufakis Aspros Lagos 2016 Crete, Greece
This is 100% Vidiano. Oaked. Sweet and a bit spicy with rich pear and white peach fruit. Sweetly textured and rich. 88/100
Douloufakis Dafnios Red 2015 Dafnes, Greece
This is 100% Liatiko. Vivid and fresh with stony, savoury damson, plum and red cherry fruit. Light with nice texture, tannin and acid. Sour and stony; this needs time. 92/100
Douloufakis Vidiano Amphora 2016 Crete, Greece
No added sulfites, 3 months skin contact. Cloudy deep yellow in colour. Very aromatic with an appley nose. Has pear, spice and some grip. Very appley and intense with subtle, salty, cheesy notes. Wild and a bit crazy. 90/100
Douloufakis Liatiko Amphora 2016 Crete, Greece
Three months on skins, no added sulfites. Savoury and a bit appley with pears and cherries. Quite stony with a wild character, but nice texture. Interesting. 89/100
