Georgia's iconic Saperavi grape, making a firm, dry and well balanced wine with pepper and spice on the finish

Georgia was one of the most important suppliers of wine to the Soviet Union, however as the relationship with Russia is now somewhat cooler than it was, these fascinating wines are becoming available to a wider audience. The Dugladze family have been making wine and spirits since 1904, and today have one of the most advanced wineries in country, allowing them to apply modern precision to the ancient techniques, making a superb range of beautifully presented wines which reflect Georgias noble winemaking tradition.

Mukuzani is regarded as the leading appellation for the important Saperavi grape. Perhaps the best known and certainly most widely planted Georgian grape, Saperavi is one of only a handful of grape varieties to have pigmented flesh as well as skins, and is capable of inky, powerful wines from warmer regions, or from vineyards at altitude such as these, it can make wines with intensity yet balance and finesse. Made in the European fashion, this is aged for 9 months in French oak barrels.

Tasting Notes: A full bodied, round red wine which retains freshness; packed with peppery blackberry and dark cherry flavours and gentle balanced tannins, this delicious red offers great value and something different.

Critics: Jancis Robinson 16.5/20 (2015)

Saperavi

ABV13%