Otskhanuri Sapere 2020,3618 (Archil Guniava)

Cellar for up to 15 years. Decant for up to an hour before serving. Archil Guniava Wine Cellar is a family-run business in the mountainous Imereti region of Georgia. With production maxing out at just 18000 bottles per year, Archil Guniava’s wines are truly special, and a must-have for any serious wine lover. Along with their organic, hands-on approach to wine-making, those at Archil Guniava utilise a lot of rarely-seen Georgian varietals. Otskhanuri Sapere is one of the oldest red grape varietals in Georgia and grows almost exclusively within the western region of Imereti. It makes intensely coloured, tannic red wines, and with Archil Guniava’s careful craftsmanship, this particular Otskhanuri Sapere has some incredible cellaring potential. The nose is bursting with notes of inky black fruits and rose petals. This is a well-structured, dry wine with medium tannins and some serious character. If you’re seeking Georgian reds that aren’t made from the ubiquitous Saperavi, this is the wine for you. The palate reveals rich red berry notes - look for flavours of plum, black cherry and wild forest fruits, supplemented by a herbaceous vein and hints of smoke. Despite the vividly dark colour, this is an immensely drinkable wine, with balanced levels of acidity and a pleasant tanginess. You can pair this with some dense meat dishes, such as lamb kebabs, beef bourguignon or a simply dressed steak.