Nikalas Marani Saperavi 2021

Cellar for up to 15 years. Decant for up to an hour before serving.

This Saperavi is a product of Nikalas Marani, one of Georgia’s greatest boutique wineries. It is currently under the leadership of Zurab Mgvdliashvili, who creates a stunning range of wines from native Georgian grapes, in the small village of Kardenakhi. Zurab restored the winery in 2005, but it has been a part of the Alazani River Valley vista since 1928, when it was originally founded by Zurab’s grandfather, Nikala.

It opens with strong aromas of plum, blackberry and cherry, supported by a subtle earthy undertone. It was crafted in ancient Georgian style: the Saperavi grapes were fermented underground in clay amphorae, called qvevri. Much like the oaken barrels used to age many Western wines, qvevri impart a rich tannic structure.

This is a dry, full-bodied red, with a stunning purple colour in the glass. Look for round flavours of dark fruits, with background notes of tobacco, liquorice, fresh herbs and leather. There is also a distinctive minerality, gained from the limestone-rich Kakheti soils. Saperavi wine is suitable for long-term cellaring, particularly when it is as well-crafted as this. Enjoy it alongside lamb, meaty kebabs, or chashushuli, a tomato-packed Georgian stew.