Georgia

This is from western Georgia (the country).  The grape is 100% Otskhanuri Sapere that is fermented with the stems in Kvevri (Amphorae).  Very dark purple in color, opaque.  The nose is very earthy with black raspberries, pomegranates, and sour cherries.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, black cherry fruit, high acidity and the robust earthiness comes thru.  Long finish.  This smoothed out a bit with some air.  Very different profile.  It drinks much better with food to help with the tannins and the acidity.  Drink over the next three to five years.  A nice match for lamb chops.  

Made from 100% Aladasturi grapes in western Georgia near the Black Sea.  Sadly, this wine is yet another "natural" wine that is spoiled.  It could have been excellent with just a bit of intervention (Copper Sulfite or light filtering) but instead produced, and worse sold a chemistry experiment that went wrong.  Ruby in color with bubbles all over the glass.  The nose has cherries and black pepper with carbonation coming off the glass.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is going thru a secondary fermentation.  There is some sweet red fruit but the experience is not enjoyable and the bottle

This is 100% Saperavi grapes made in Kakheti in eastern Georgia and made in Kvevri (amphorae).  Very nice showing for this wine.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, cherries, and currants.  Medium to full bodied with firm tannins.  A strong backbone of acidity.  On the palate, black cherries, cherries and slight blueberries with light clay notes underneath.  Nice finish.  This is drinking well now but works better with food.  Roasted fowl or mushrooms would be a nice choice.  drink over the next five to eight years.  

This is from western Georgia and made from 100% Aladasturi grapes.  Unfortunately the bottle was off.  Garent in color, mostly clear but a trail of persistent bubbles.  The nose had some cranberries with a bit of carbonation coming off it.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, the bottle was going thru a secondary fermentation.  Out of balance with strong acidity.  This is another in a long line of wines that could have been good with a judicious use of intervention (Copper sulfites) to prevent spoilage and if necessary, a bit of fining.  So disappointing.  I retasted the following day and then d

This is from the Guria region of western Georgia near the Black Sea and made from 100% Chkhaveri grapes.  This is a light red grape, but when the wine is crushed it is immediately put into a Kvevri (Amphorae) so there is very little skin contact.  The resulting wine is amber in color.  It is a "natural" wine.  Orange gold (light amber) in color, clear and bright.  The nose is interesting with oranges and a "fruity bubble gum" quality along with slight honey and and slight pepper.  Good acidity with light tannins.  On the palate, plenty of orange citrus with a bit of pepper.  Tart, long fini

This is from western Georgia near the Black Sea.  It is a "natural" wine made from the Tsitska and Tsolikouri grapes and fermented in amphorae on its skins.  Really an unusual and different wine, but quite good.  Deep golden in color (not amber), clear and bright.  The nose is different with oranges, Spree candies, honey and quince.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, the quince comes thru along with a bit of minerality and orange peel.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  This is nice on its own but will work great with a fruit salad or even Risotto.  Drink over the next couple of yea

This is made from Saperavi grapes from Shumi's Satrabakho Vineyard in Kakheti, Georgia.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, cassis, char and black pepper.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is concentrated and deep.  Flavors of black cherries, some cassis with underlying char.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This is delicious and drinks like a Cab/Zin blend.  Very international in style, it is a nice value and should be a popular wine among friends.  It drinks great on its own and would work well with burgers or ribs off the grill.  dri

This is made from Saperavi grapes.  It is a single vineyard wine from the Mukuzani Vineyard or Vineyard of the great Queen.  It is raised in French oak.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.

Similar to their white, this proved to be a bit, albeit less, controversial.  For my tastes, this is a dead ringer for the stinky Chateauneuf du Pape's that were so prevalent twenty plus years ago (especially Beaucastel) that  I love!  My friend Jeff B.

This is 100% Saperavi fermented in Kvevri (Amphorae) and aged in both Kvevri and Stainless (for stabilization).  It made with minimum interference in a "natural" style.  The result is a very nice  red wine that is a remarkable value.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with plums, black cherries, charred rocks, and black pepper.  Medium to full bodied.  Strong acidity.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this has black cherries, bramble (think Zin) and underlying char.  Nice finish.  This is tasty and easy drinking  with some depth.  It drinks well on its ow