Ελληνικά
Artion is the premium red wine of Vlassides Winery; a true work of art.
The wine is produced from varieties grown exclusively in the estate’s own vineyards. Its varietal composition differs slightly every year, in order to bring out the best qualities of the wine.
Artion is a blend of Merlot grapes from the Karamanos vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon from the vineyard at Afames and Shiraz from the Katoshi vineyard. Merlot gives it a rich, velvety character, whereas Cabernet Sauvignon helps it to evolve during a ten-year period and Shiraz revives it, giving it a breath of “freshness”.
The wine matures in new French barrels for 18 months, followed by two years in the bottle.
The wine is unfiltered and is recommended to be decanted and served at 18°C.
Award
Year of Harvest
Gold Medal
Berliner Wein Trophy 2025
2019
Gold Medal
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2025
2019
Gold Medal
Thessaloniki Wine & Spirits Trophy 2025
2019
Gold Medal
14th International Cyprus Wine Competition 2023
2018
Gold Medal
23rd Thessaloniki International Wine Competition 2023
2017
Silver Medal
Decanter World Wine Awards 2023
2017
Silver Medal
EXPOVINA Wine Trophy 2021 Zurich
2016
Gold Medal
12th International Cyprus Wine Competition 2019
2014
Gold Medal
12th International Cyprus Wine Competition 2019
2016
Gold Medal
12th International Cyprus Wine Competition 2019
2015
Gold Medal
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2019
2015
Silver Medal
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2019
2014
Silver Medal
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2019
2016
Gold Medal
11th International Cyprus Wine Competition 2018
2012
Bronze Medal – Score 86
Decanter 2018
2012
Artion
Varieties:
42% Merlot
33% Cabernet Sauvignon
25% Shiraz
Soil Composition:
Sandy Clay Loam
Vinification:
The vinification of the three varieties takes place separately. Maceration lasts up to 15 days. The wine finishes its alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in new oak barrels. After the fermentation the wine matures in new French oak barrels for 18 months followed by two years in bottle. It is bottled unfiltered.
Organoleptic Characteristics:
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Appearance: Deep purple colour with good intensity.
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Aromatic Characteristics (Nose): Medium to high intensity, clean and mature. Aromas of ripe black fruits, including black cherry, plum and blackberry, are complemented by notes of coffee, vanilla and sweet spices. Deeper nuances of cedar, smoke and dark chocolate add depth and complexity.
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Palate (Flavour and Texture): Full-bodied, with firm yet well-polished tannins and balanced acidity. The palate shows concentrated black fruit flavours alongside cocoa and vanilla, with subtle hints of pepper.
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Structure: Well-structured and balanced, with a very long and persistent finish. A mature red wine with significant potential for further development over time.
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Recommended Preparation: Bottled unfiltered, the wine is best decanted prior to serving at 18°C to allow full expression of its aromatic and structural complexity.
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Ageing Potential: Thanks to its solid structure and balance, the wine shows a promising ageing potential of 10 to 12 years.
Harvest Information 2020:
| Ethanol: | 15,22% Vol |
| pH: | 3,51 |
| Total Acidity (H2SO4): |
3,76 g/l |
| Reducing Sugars: | 1,2 g/l |
| Rainfall: October until July |
900mm |
| Harvest Temperatures (Μ.Α.) |
|
| Cabernet Sauvignon | |
| Lowest: | 17,5°C – (9/2020) |
| Highest: | 33,7°C – (9/2020) |
| Merlot | |
| Lowest: | 18,5°C – (8/2020) |
| Highest: | 33,6°C – (8/2020) |
| Shiraz | |
| Lowest: | 18,5°C – (8/2020) |
| Highest: | 33,6°C – (8/2020) |
2020 Harvest:
2020 was characterised by a relatively mild winter. However, the temperatures that prevailed during the winter months affected the phenological stages of the vineyard (bud burst, flowering, veraison, maturation) which delayed their progression and for this reason harvest begun during the 3d week of August.
The total amount of rainfall in our area reached 850mm of rain, with 75% taking place between December of 2019 and January of 2020. The drought that followed, which started in mid-spring and continued until the harvest period, along with the absence of intense hot weather and with optimal viticultural care, helped to produce perfectly healthy grapes with excellent ripening.
The average temperature in August was 25.5°C, favouring the technological and phenolic maturation of Sauvignon blanc and Shiraz, varieties which ripen during this time of the year.
The average temperature in September of 2020 was 25°C, 2.5°C higher than in 2019. The increased temperature resulted in the abrupt increase of the sugars of the Merlot variety during harvest season. On the contrary, Cabernet Sauvignon had a simultaneous technological and phenolic maturation. The non-grafted indigenous varieties of our vineyards of Xinisteri, Promara, Giannoudi and Maratheftiko were not affected by this change and enjoyed a smooth maturation due to their adaptation to the climate of Cyprus.
As a result of all the above, this year’s harvest has contributed significantly to the creation of wines that highlight the typical character of each variety with a strong terroir element, especially in wines which derive their grapes from selected vineyards such as Alátes, Όroman, Sauvignon blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Artion.
This year’s white wines of Vlassides Winery present intense varietal aromas that evolve as we taste them and are characterised by balanced acidity and a cool aftertaste.
Due to the smooth maturation of our red varieties, the wines produced will be characterised by intense varietal aromas with a velvety balance between alcohol, acidity and phenolic load.