Khikhvi Reserve 2017 (Tchotiashvili)

Drink it now or cellar for up to 10 years. No need to decant, but best to open it half an hour before service. The Tchotiashvili family winery is located in Georgia, in the Alazani Valley, a region famous for its ancient winemaking traditions. For this family, the winemaking activity dates back to the beginning of the 18th century, and today the company is managed aby Kakha and Ucha Tchotiashvili, who in 2002 expanded their vineyards, created experimental ampelographic sections and included rare vines. The estate's vineyards extend over approximately 12 hectares, located at approximately 420-450 meters above sea level on the slopes of the Caucasus, in the Kakheti region. The company cultivates approximately 42 varieties of different vines, of which 12 are indigenous to the area. Over the last decade, the cellar has been greatly expanded with the addition of other Qvevri, traditionally used for the fermentation and conservation of wines. Khikhvi Reserve is a wine produced with the traditional Qvevri methodology and aged in oak barriques for 6 months. It has a splendid amber color, thanks to the long maceration on the skins. Its aromatic profile is ripe with tropical fruit notes, dried apricots, and honey. On the palate, it is rich and powerful, perfectly balanced aby a vein of strong acidity. The tannins are velvety. The finish is long and fragrant. It goes beautifully with typical Georgian dishes such as Nigvziani Badrijani (eggplant rolls) or Khinkali (spicy soup dumplings).