SOLOMNISHVILI WINERY | 1984 | Saperavi | 2017
saperavi
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Today we are going to review a very special wine, as this is a single-varietal saperavi wine from the famous Kakheti region of Georgia – 1984 Saperavi 2017 by Solomnishvili Winery. Saperavi (which translates into english as ‘color‘ or ‘dye‘) is Georgia’s main red variety and a teinturier grape, which means that the flesh of the berry is also dark, thus the resulting wines are very deep in color with high natural acidity and firm tannins, which makes them respond well to ageing. Although Georgia is the birthplace of saperavi, there are a handful of other countries that also grow and produce high-quality saperavi wines. In its homeland in Georgia, some wineries traditionally label their saperavi wines as black wine instead of red wine. Most of the georgian saperavi wines are traditionally aged in qvevri (egg-shaped clay vessels that are buried in the ground in order to maintain constant cool temperature throughout the year) as they were 8000 years ago. This wine is made of saperavi budeshuri grapes (a mutation of the saperavi variety, that must not be confused with the budeshuri tsiteli red grape variety) that were sourced from old vines, planted in 1984 at 550 meters altitude on alluvial soil rich in clay, gravel and limestone. The wine has been fermented in the traditional terracotta pots (called Qvevri) and then aged for 18 months in french oak barrels in order to soften the astringent tannins and add a layer of extra complexity. This wine represents a bridge between two worlds – on one hand it pays tribute to the ancient georgian tradition of fermenting the wines in Qvevri vesels, on the other hand it uses modern techniques of classic vinification, such as oak ageing. But enough with all that theory, that said and without further ado, let’s take a look at the wine tasting results.
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Take a look at the tasting notes below and our detailed assessment of the wine:
//Visual
color: deep & opaque purple color
clarity: hazy purple shades on the rim
//Olfactory
intensity: pronounced & expressive
fruit character: ripe & dehydrated
On the first nose, the wine offers an intriguing interplay of ripe and dehydrated aromas. A wave of dark fruits takes center stage, with notes of black cherry, dark plum and blackberry, complemented by hints of old leather, adding a touch of savory complexity. In the background, subtle earthy tones emerge, reminiscent of black soil, pencil lead and barn, interwoven with whispers of toasted oak and cigar box. This intriguing bouquet suggests a wine with a bit of age, possibly one that has seen some oak ageing, with the fruit character evolving alongside leathery and earthy notes, thus hinting at an ageing potential.
//Palate
sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: high | tannin: high | balance: good
finish: medium+ | aftertaste: astringent & heady
The palate confirms the hints of maturity suggested by the nose, with the initial flavors offering a mix of ripe and dried, black fruit flavours. Pronounced earthy and oaky influences emerge, yet there’s is an air of unlinked synergy between the primary and tertiary layers. The exuberant acidity struggles to balance the prominent alcoholic warmth that overwhelms the palate. The tannins are aggressive and grippy, leaving a lingering astringency on the mouthfeel, which in turn forms an astringent and slightly heady aftertaste.
//Verdict
maturity: developing | needs more time | age for at least 5 more years
verdict: fine | highly recommended | a wine of premium quality with good potential
Overall, this wine presents a captivating nose, offering a complex interplay of ripe and dried black fruit aromas that are complemented by intriguing leathery and earthy undertones. However, the promise hinted at on the nose falls short on the palate. The flavour layers feel somewhat disjoined, while the exuberant acidity struggles to keep up with the prominent alcoholic warmth, and the tannins feels aggressive and quite grippy, leaving an astringent aftertaste. Despite its firm structure and powerful presence on the palate, the wine comes across as slightly angular, those lacking the harmony and finesse one would expect from an aged example. This saperavi wine showcases very good varietal typicity of the grape, but at this stage it feels a bit disjointed, therefore it might benefit from additional bottle aging to allow all its elements to integrate and round up its sharp edges.
//Scoring
SOLOMNISHVILI WINERY | 1984 | Saperavi | 2017
variety: saperavi
country: Georgia
region: Kakheti
rating: 93.5
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This is definitely a fine wine of Georgia and, with a total of 93.5 points scored, this wine is right there, among the best wines we’ve rated so far. Check our complete database on the wine rating page, where you can find all the wines that we have tasted and reviewed or go to the about us page and find out more about our exquisite rating system.
Pairing: Due to the wine’s firm and bold character and its slightly angular and astringent mouthfeel, it would be best suited for rich and flavorful dishes that can stand up to the wine’s strong personality. A peppercorn-crusted tomahawk steak or a rosemary-garlic flank steak would be good pairing options. The richness of the meat will match the boldness of the wine, with the grippy tannins and exuberant acidity cutting through the fat-rich texture of the steaks. In the same key, the peppercorn crust will complement the wine’s earthiness and savouriness, thus creating a harmonious tasting experience. Those pairings would allow both, the boldness of the wine and the richness of the steak meat to shine through. Enjoy!
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© The WineStatistics ratings are based solely on our own knowledge of the world of wine and on our personal wine tastes, which may, or may not, differ from yours – the reader. Just remember that there are no absolutes of right and wrong in wine appreciation.
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By training ourselves to stop, take a breath, and pay attention to the subtle elements that distinguish one wine from any other, we learn an important lesson about life – that it’s worth taking the time to slow down and appreciate things that pleases us, from a glass of wine to a great work of art. It’s a simple way to learn to appreciate the little things in life that may in some small way enhance our enjoyment of every day.
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WineStatistics is a non-profit community. We produce independent and highly detailed wine reviews.
By training ourselves to stop, take a breath, and pay attention to the subtle elements that distinguish one wine from any other, we learn an important lesson about life – that it’s worth taking the time to slow down and appreciate things that pleases us, from a glass of wine to a great work of art. It’s a simple way to learn to appreciate the little things in life that may in some small way enhance our enjoyment of every day.
In order to continue our work we need support from people like you. People who appreciate our contribution in spreading wine knowledge and raising wine awareness across the borders.
You may now support us by contributing with a monthly donation so that we can review even more wines.
WineStatistics is a non-profit community. We produce independent and highly detailed wine reviews.
By training ourselves to stop, take a breath, and pay attention to the subtle elements that distinguish one wine from any other, we learn an important lesson about life – that it’s worth taking the time to slow down and appreciate things that pleases us, from a glass of wine to a great work of art. It’s a simple way to learn to appreciate the little things in life that may in some small way enhance our enjoyment of every day.
In order to continue our work we need support from people like you. People who appreciate our contribution in spreading wine knowledge and raising wine awareness across the borders.
You may now support us by contributing with a yearly donation so that we can review even more wines.
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