WTN: 2017 Chelti Gunashauri Saperavi

It seems like a rite of passage for Western wine geeks. Have dinner in a Georgian restaurant and order a delicious wine and then start dreaming about trips to Georgia and wondering why the wines are not part of our regular rotation. But then all the practical realities of life set in.

In this case, I was typically hopeless with the winelist and went for the one name I recognized from US wine geek crews (Nikolashvili), which was no longer available. But, the friendly staff suggested a similar wine and came with the 2017 Chelti Gunashauri Saperavi, which was absolutely lovely and exceeded my (low) expectations. Solid firm fruit but with supple elegance and fairly-well-layered textures and flavors for a modestly-priced wine (42€ on the wine list).

My dreams of Georgia wore off not too long afterwards, and it's hardly going to become a new passion. But it was great to try something new AND so delicious.

Have a few wines from Georgia up here Rahsaan. Most have been very good, especially Saperavi.

[Jenise]

Bought an assortment from Garagiste long long ago, and the four I didn't open are still sitting there where I regard them with great suspicion. Enough time has passed (over ten years) that it's probably safe now to open and toss. But such were the two I did open that I've never been tempted by Georgian wine again.

Cellared for 10 yrs?

Bought an assortment from Garagiste long long ago...

Yes, that's the exuberant enthusiasm I was hoping to avoid! (But, I don't think I'm at risk of buying large quantities of Georgian wine. The biggest risk is that I will try to hurry back to the restaurant).

We finally made it out for a day of tasting in the Finger Lakes today and had a really terrific Saperavi at Shalestone, on the east side of Seneca. We had some at a Georgian wine dinner in Chicago a couple of years ago; this was the last place I expected to see it again! Good stuff.