Nine Oaks Saperavi Georgian Red 2018

Nine Oaks was co-founded by Amsterdam-based Anna Addison, of Russian heritage, and her business partner Mamuka Khurtsidze, who’s also  the winemaker. Vineyard work follows organic (and biodynamic) farming practices. Nine Oaks Estate is named after nine oak trees on the 20-acre estate where the indigenous varieties Saperavi, Rkatsiteli, Khikhvi, and Kisi are cultivated. Wines here are made from 100% estate grown fruit, a rarity in Georgia.

This saperavi is destemmed, and naturally fermented without additional yeast; the grapes are left to macerate and ferment with their skins for up to 28 days in large 5600 liter Qvevri (handmade clay pots buried underground) at a steady temperature of 72°F. The wine then goes into a combo of steel tanks and Qvevri for 9 months, a small amount of sulfur is added before the first racking (5ppm), and the wine is unfined.