Ilia Estate Taoba Saperavi 2021
Type: Red
Country: Georgia
Region: Kakheti
Grape Variety: 100% Saperavi
Alcohol Percentage: 13%
Viticulture: Natural Wine | Organic Farming | Vegan Friendly
Climate: Conditions here are typically influenced by the nearby Caucasus Mountains, which allow a dry harvest with mild temperatures during the day but with rather cold nights, ideal for the avoidance of any type of rot
Terroir: Made from grapes sourced in the traditional microzones of Kindzmarauli and Kvareli, in the Kakheti region. The vineyards are on average 30 years old and situated on the southern slopes of the Caucasus Mountains which provide altitudes of over 400 metres above sea level, bringing fresh acidity and soft tannins. Sustainable and organic practices are observed in the vineyards and harvest is carried out by hand
Ageing: The final cuvee is a blend of 50% Saperavi matured in stainless steel, 25% in 5000-litre wooden vats, 18% in second and third 225-litre American oak barrels and 7% Qvevri. After bottling, the wine remained in the cellar for a further 12 months before release
Color: Dark purple
Nose: The nose opens with a powerful savoury-spicy bouquet of blackberries, herbs, flowers and black pepper
Palate: The palate has a creamy, juicy texture, ripe tannins and black fruit flavours. A warming style from an ancient wine producing region
About the Winery:
Winemakers Nugzar Ksovreli and Thierry Fontannaz found inspiration in the history and legacy of the winery’s founders, the Konchosvilli family, whose cellars date back to 1737. The same family also owns the renowned Bedoba estate. Whilst grapes come from different vineyard parcels and their wines are made by different oenologists, they share the same cellar equipment and practise a similar winemaking approach using ancient Georgian techniques.
With an average age of 30 years, the vines here are planted in the renowned wine region of Kakheti, near the eastern border with Azerbaijan in the Kvareli and Kindzmarauli appellations along the Duruji River valley. The soils here are rich in black shale, and the southern slopes of the Caucasus Mountains provide altitudes of over 400 metres above sea level, bringing fresh acidity and soft tannins. Sustainable and organic practices are observed, as well as hand-harvesting and careful sorting of the grapes.
