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Greece

Papa Johannou

Papa Johannou is a part of Hand Picked Selections' wine portfolio.

Hand Picked Selections is the personal work of Dan Kravitz. Only the best values become Hand Picked Selections. The goal of Hand Picked Selections is to choose uncommonly good wines at competitive prices in each category. Typically but not rigidly a Hand Picked Selection will be an Estate Bottled wine that can be purchased by the consumer for less than fifteen dollars. Further information on our wines is available on the HPS website, www.handpickedselections.com

Pape Johannou is Dan's spelling for the name Papaiouannou, a mouthful of Greek. Over the past half century this has grown to be one of the most highly respected producers in Nemea, which is to Greece as Bordeaux is to France. Father Athanasios, ramrod straight at 75, led the Domaine from grape growers to Estate Bottling. Son George, a trained enologist and quiet perfectionist has experimented successfully with a vast range of grapes and wines.

Vineyards 148 acres; 74 Aghioritiko (the only Nemea Appellation varietal), 30 Cabernet Sauvignon, 15 Chardonnay, 13 Roditis, 4 each Assyrtiko and Pinot Noir,

Vine Age Overall 25 years, over 30 for Nemea, 15-20 others.

Yields 4 tons/acre overall; less for Nemea, more for Chardonnay.

Production 8000 cases Nemea, 2000 cases Nemea Old Vines, 4000 cases each Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, 1000 each Pinot Noir & Assyrtiko (half of the Assyrtiko is oak aged); 2500 Roditis (half of the Roditis is oak aged).

Fermentation For reds, 77 degrees for 10 days in cuve, extended skin contact for top wines; whites, 52 degree for 30 days in cuve.

Cellar Treatment Unoaked Aghioritiko Vin de Pays red; Nemea, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir, 12 months in 25 - 50% new oak (Italian, French and American); Old Vine Nemea and Cabernet Sauvignon Cava up to 24 months in 50 - 100% new oak, mostly French. Unoaked Pinot Noir now bottled at the request of HPS.

Markets 85% domestic; 15% export including 4% to the U.S.

Placements Every top restaurant and wine shop in Greece.

Press Wine Advocate 8/03, ratings from 86 - 90; Honored throughout Europe.

For overall wine quality and value, this may be the top Estate in Greece today.

Pape Johannou Chardonnay

"An excellent wine as well as a considerable value, the 2003 Chardonnay displays expressive spiced pear aromas. Fleshy, flavorful, and medium-bodied, this is an extremely pleasing effort. Packed with candied apples and poached pears, its personality is pure, well-focused, and long. Drink it over the next 2-3 years."
The Wine Advocate #155 (10/04) / 88 Points