The 2007 ASSYRTIKO BARREL FERMENTED is, not surprisingly, the same wine as the 2007 Assyrtiko reviewed here…but with oak (6 months). It has what may be a touch of tannin on the finish, beautiful balance and excellent integration of the oak. As with its unoaked sibling, this has some aging potential and it is many cuts above the sunny, Summer weight whites that one so often sees. It is a little jarring to see the oak after the unoaked, crisper wines, but this is nonetheless done exceptionally well. In fact, Sigalas handles oak on Assyrtiko as well or better than anyone in Greece. Drink now-2015. I had probably my best tasting in Greece at this fine estate on Santorini. On Santorini, 80% of the ancient, pre-phylloxera vineyard area is planted with white grapes. All but 10% of that is Assyrtiko, and by law a Santorini appellation white must be at least 75% Assyrtiko. So, a winery here must master this difficult but very fine grape to succeed. Sigalas does, consistently producing superb Assyrtiko, either dry, steely and unoaked; or with oak (no small achievement), or in the sweet Vinsanto style. Some library wines are included to illustrate the winery’s track record and consistency. Granting that the weather on Santorini is often said to produce good vintages on a fairly consistent basis, this is still an impressive track record.Importer: Diamond Importers, Chicago, IL; tel: (773) 549-6211