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GEORGIAN WINE HOME-TASTING (1)
After twice being juror of a Georgian wine competition and three visits to this beautiful country, I just have a crush on Georgia.
Judging wines at the Expo Georgia Wine Award Competion – 2011
To keep updated with the quality of Georgian wines, I asked the Dutch importer Theo Jansen from GeoDev to send me some samples that I selected and paid myself. I was aware of the quality of Georgian wines, but was it improving or not? Let’s see the results…
Finest Brut 2007 (white, méthode traditionelle, 100% chinuri): a delightful surprise, so much better than all the bubbly Georgian wines I tasted before! The chinuri varietal gives a very fresh, lively and elegant wine in nose and mouth. Elegant sparkling with a dynamic cordon. Dry, slightly yeasty and mineral, fruity (citrus) and juicy on the palate with a perfect balance between freshness, creamy body and alcohol (13% by vol.)
Tsinandali 2009, Kakheti (white, rkatsiteli + mtsvane): very fresh, floral and vegetal nose with hints of yellow fruit and a kiss of the oak. Medium full bodied, mouth-filling but never heavy. Very well balanced, juicy and refreshing.
Rkatsiteli 2010, Kakheti (white, rkatsiteli): complex aromatic, noticeably spicy, bitter almonds, anise or wild fennel, fresh green melon… Fresh, dry and tense on the palate, with aromas of green apple and a reminiscence of green tkemali plums. A wine that is not meant for easy drinking but for a good, spicy dish.
Tsinandali 2010 Special Reserve, Kakheti (white, rkatsiteli + mtsvane): floral, fruity (yellow fruits, apricot, quince) and slightly spicy nose with a hint of honey and a kiss of oak. Fresh and quite dry on the palate, juicy and tasty, nice mineral finish.
Saperavi 2010, Kakheti (red, saperavi): fresh, fruity (cherry, red berries) aromas with a hint of spices, oak and vanilla. Very fresh on the palate, quite juicy and tasty, well-balanced, medium bodied, with a nice mineral finish.
Saperavi 2010 Special Reserve, Kakheti (red, saperavi): fruity (plum, cherry) and spicy in the nose with some vegetal nuances and elegant oaky tones. Fresh, smooth, medium bodied, quite complex with well integrated oak tones and a great balance.
Napareuli 2009, Kakheti (red, saperavi): intense, juicy, spicy, medium bodied, very tasty, still quite tight in its tannins. Good ageing potential for this perfect interpretation of carefully grown and selected saperavi grapes.
Mukuzani 2007, Kakheti (red, saperavi): nicely aromatic with dominant (wild?) cherry aromas, berries and hints of nuts and vanilla. Fresh, smooth, ripe and round, medium bodied, very well balanced, velvety ripe tannins and quite a long finish.
See also part 2 for more wines…
