Philosopher
Philosopher isn’t just a name. It’s a statement. Born in the shadow of Aristotle’s birthplace, this red blend thinks as much as it speaks. Agiorgitiko brings the flesh and the velvet, Xinomavro brings the bones and the edge — together they argue, debate, and finally agree in the bottle.
The vines grow on slate and schist at the edge of Mount Athos, 600 meters up, where days are all sun and nights all chill. That clash of extremes leaves its mark: ripe fruit cut by piercing acidity, structure laced with elegance. Twelve months in French oak rounds the edges without silencing the terroir’s voice.
Philosopher is not built for easy answers. It’s a wine that lingers, insists, makes you pause. A modern Greek red that proves thoughtfulness can be as powerful as raw force.
| Vintage | 2018 |
|---|---|
| Type | Dry Red |
| Unit Size | 75cl |
| Country | Greece |
| Region | PGI Halkidiki |
| Primary Appellation | Blend from estate vineyards: Agiorgitiko from lower, warmer blocks; Xinomavro from higher-elevation Agropetra parcel |
| Plot Size / Plot Elevation | 16ha / 550m |
| Soil | Slate/schist subsoil with sandy clay loam topsoil |
| Age of vines | 14 years old |
| Farming | Organic practices, hand-harvested |
| Varieties | ~90% Agiorgitiko, ~10% Xinomavro |
| Fermentation | Stainless steel, full skin contact |
| Aging | 12 months in French oak barrels (mix of new & used), plus bottle aging |
| Alcohol | 14% |
| Cork / Screw Cap | Cork |
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Ratings & Reviews
Silver Medal
16/20 - 2015 Vintage
16/20 - 2018 Vintage
89/100
(2018) A blend of Agiorgitiko with 10% Xinomavro, this pours a really saturated deep red colour. The wine was aged 12 months in French oak, and that might partly account for the smokiness on the nose, but there's an interesting balsamic and black cherry skin character too, peppery and lifted. In the mouth it is very firm, an extracted, very dry black fruit character, pretty good structure from inky tannins and cherry acidity, and the oak again just adding a smoky, rounding quality. It finishes on dry fruit and decent acidity.
The producer
On the rugged slopes of Mount Athos, where Aristotle once walked, Akrathos Winery is redefining what Halkidiki can deliver. High-altitude vineyards (550–700m), slate-rich soils, and a mix of mountain winds and sea breezes create the sharp minerality and precision that run through every bottle. Since 2009, Akrathos … Read more
