Simon J Woolf
No holds barred Mtsvane, with a beautiful and exotic nose that reminds me of jasmine green tea, kiwi,starchy papaya and iodine. Plenty of fruit and lovely acidity on the attack. Right now this is seriously tannic, drying and a bit unready for pleasureable consumption. With some serious decanting or further ageing this should be glorious
Simon J Woolf
Vineyards at 700m “grapes are handpicked and pressed by sweet people”. A soft and silky style, which belies its eight months spent in qvevri. Packed with ripe pear and peach fruit, this is a very different style to most Kakhetian qvevri wines. The nose has a whisp of jasmine flower and green tea, and the
Simon J Woolf
A bright and typical Kartli style, with starchy green apple and some earth and dried herbs on the nose. Very light bodied with fresh acidity, but no shortage of character – both from Chinuri (which is 80% of the blend) and from the qvevri fermentation and ageing. The blend was with the skins for only
Simon J Woolf
Made in almost the same way as the dry version of this wine (See review), but with a shorter fermentation, this semi-sweet version loses a lot of the grape’s leafy, blackcurrant character. Although not oppressively sweet, the wine feels like it has lost of lot its lifeforce when compared to the dry bottling. The wild
Simon J Woolf
A fascinating blend, with the very rare Chitishvala making up 50% There’s lightness and lift here, with citrus juices and orchard fruits, plus a hint of sweetness or honey. Earthy, dried herb notes are present on the nose and the palate, but they give the stage to the fruit. This is typically grippy, after a
Simon J Woolf
Baked fruit and hot stones. This feels like spending a few hours in the desert on a parched hot summer’s day. The ripeness and dried out, scratchy tannins are a bit unrelenting, and the alcohol starts to stick out.
Simon J Woolf
Dark fruited, mysterious and cacao-filled on the nose, this typical red grape from western Georgian feels almost Cabernet Franc like. It’s relatively light on texture, with some more savoury or vegetal notes. There’s a minty hint on the finish. A fascinating style which feels like it could use another year in the bottle.
Simon J Woolf
The five doctors unleash their first Khikhvi, and it’s a goodie! Plenty of those starchy, baked fruit characters that I associate with this grape variety, but there’s lift and excitement – and wonderful, nutty tannins. Admittedly a bit grippy right now, this has everything it needs to age wonderfully for another couple of years. Total
Simon J Woolf
A light version of this tannic grape, here made with just three days of skin contact (instead of the usual multiple months). Rich, honeyed and silken with some dusty, earthy notes on the nose. A little wild damson and herbs on the palate. A real charmer!
Simon J Woolf
This blend of four Kkaketian grape varieties was reputedly the favoured wine of King Erekle, an 18th century Georgian monarch. And Casreli certainly make it in a style that’s fit for a king. The aromas are entrancing and multifaceted, with green tea, floral notes and baked fruits. Although the texture is typically powerful and grippy,