I’m cooking two roasts tonight- a Moroccan herbed leg of Lamb and a seasoned Coulotte with riced brocolli and a North African inspired vegetal medley on a bed of Barley and Arugula. I need a bold, tannic wine for this and so I delved into the nether regions of Georgia for this Saperavi.
Opaque purple with some thin legs showing off the 13% ABV. The nose has pronounced aromas of grape, smoky oak, vanilla, dark cherry and spice box. Cloves and sweet blackcurrant round it out. I am intrigued by the raw grape scent- it’s not often you come across this basic component. The palate is exactly what I was hoping for. Dry, medium (+) tannins with good acidity. Plenty of primary fruit flavors and oak hints are evident on this medium (-) bodied wine that has a shortish finish. The freshness of the grape flavor is very unique. I like it. The charred oak in this one is quite apparent. Whilst not overly complex, it is a nicely balanced wine that will pair well with my multitude of flavors. I would drink this wine by 2024 with hearty meat dishes. 88 points and 3 stars for this $13 effort. Salut….