Solomnishvili Saperavi We 2018

Cellar for up to 15 years. Decant for up to an hour before serving. This is an inky, dark red wine from Solomnishvili Winery, packed with aromas of blackberry, cherry, baking spice, cocoa and earthy forest floor. It is fermented in traditional clay Georgian pots, known as qvevri, for 6 months, before 18 months of further ageing in oak. A superb example of Georgia’s premier red grape. Solomnishvili is a boutique family winery, spearheaded by renowned winemaker Giorgi Solomnishvili. His winery can be found in Georgia’s viticultural capital, the city of Telavi, within the region of Kakheti. The grapes are farmed from a small 0.2-hectare plot owned by the family, so tightly packed that the fruits must be harvested by hand. The “We” Saperavi is a serious, bold red wine, with a tannic, full-bodied palate of ripe black fruit, tobacco smoke, and warm vegetal notes of roasted red pepper. It is velvety and broad, with a backbone of oak and vibrant acidity. The finish is long and embellished with subtle spice notes. It is ready to be enjoyed now, but it can also be aged for some time in a cellar. Saperavi is an excellent match for red meat dishes, such as beef kharcho, or hard, pungent cheese.

Price: £20.74 from 8wines UK