Kondoli Vineyards Saperavi - Merlot 2017 (Marani)

Cellar for up to 10 years. Decant up to 1 hour before serving. In the picturesque Alazani River Valley, between two giant mountain ranges, Marani produce high-quality Georgian wines for the whole world to enjoy. Their headquarters is Telavi Wine Cellar, founded in 1915 and situated in one of the oldest wine-making regions in the world, Kakheti. Marani combine innovation with a deep respect for Georgian wine-making culture. While a portion of their Kondoli vineyard is dedicated to international grapes, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and the lush Merlot, the majority is planted with native fruits. This 50/50 blend of Saperavi and Merlot combines the best of both. Lavish aromas of dark fruits dominate the nose, and cassis mingles with subtle smokey notes and a splash of mint in this dry red. Fruits are gathered from the Kondoli vineyards by hand and stored in closed oak barriques for 6 months, before being blended and aged for another year. The mouthfeel is full and succulent, reminiscent of a handful of blackberries. These dark fruit flavours are accompanied aby the smokiness of tobacco and herbs, and some oaky notes obtained from aging. Drink now, or cellar for further aging. This wine pairs well with dense meat, such as beef or venison, and a variety of harder cheeses.