Georgian Wines - Two Grapes, Two Versions
Tasters last week were very pleasantly surprised by how good and what great value were last week's Georgian wines.
August 24, 2022
Tasters last week were very pleasantly surprised by how good and what great value were last week's Georgian wines. Nearly everyone took home bottles or twelve. We, the people, tended to like the unoaked versions as much as the oakier ones, but each style had its partisans.
Whether or not Rkatisteli was the first grape planted by Noah after the flood, it is currently the most widely planted white grape in Georgia. Marnaveli's is in a more modern style which tends to be lightly floral with stone fruit, apple, or quince. We will taste two versions, one clean and pure without oak and one richer styled aged a few months in oak barrels.
Saperavi is Georgia's most widely planted grape. It is not unlike Syrah or Touriga Nacional. Dark colored, with strong acids and tannins, full-bodied, and rich in dark fruit and savory flavors, it adds depth and structure to what has become one of our most popular barbecue wines. Hugh Hamilton's Black Ops. Again we will have two versions, unoaked and oaked. I particularly liked the oaked version here.
Our thanks to the Pataridze brothers, who provided some excellent cheeses to accompany their informative commentary.
White
2020 Marnaveli Rkatsiteli; Aroma: Plummy fruity dense, very modern; Mouth: Fruity simple, clean fleshy fat; Very Good 13.99; Case, 11.99
2020 Marnaveli Rkatsiteli Oak; Color: Pale green; Aroma: Fresh juicy, intense, rich & full; Mouth: Ample sweet intense clean fullish; Very Good Plus 18.99; Case, 15.99
Red
2019 Marnaveli Saperavi; Color: Very dark black; Aroma: Heady and complete, a bit of edge deep, very, full; Mouth: Light on the attack garfish edge bright, powerful tannin a touch vacant on the finish; Very Good Plus 16.99; Case, 13.99
2019 Marnaveli Saperavi Oak; Aroma: Heady & rich light bright, very dense & bright firm; Mouth: Bright, clean fine tannin pretty fine edged, a tannic tingle; Very Good Plus 19.99; Case 16.99
Mix 12 or more bottles for their special case prices.
Order by phone at 617.367.8605, or reserve here: order@federalwine.com
Please pass this on to any friends who are wine enthusiasts!
- Len Rothenberg
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