Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Umano – Saperavi – Red Wine – 2022
Kakheti – Georgia 🇬🇪

Overview
A carbonic-macerated expression of Saperavi from Kakheti, crafted by Umano using a technique more commonly associated with Beaujolais but interpreted through Georgia’s ancient winemaking lens. The 2022 vintage delivers a lighter, fresher, and more playful side of Saperavi while preserving the grape’s inherent depth and savory character.

Aromas & Flavors
Bright red cherry, wild strawberry, and pomegranate lead the nose, followed by subtle cranberry, red currant, and a touch of dried herbs. Hints of black tea, gentle spice, and earthy undertones appear beneath the fruit, adding nuance without heaviness.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied and remarkably refined, with soft tannins and vibrant acidity. The carbonic maceration brings lift and juiciness without tipping into bubblegum territory. Fresh, supple, and clean through the finish, making it dangerously drinkable and highly versatile.

Food Pairings
Charcuterie boards, roast chicken, lamb ribs, grilled vegetables, mushroom dishes, or semi-hard cheeses. Excellent lightly chilled.

Verdict
A beautifully executed carbonic Saperavi that redefines expectations. Youthful, refreshing, and expressive, yet far more polished than the typical intracellar style. A chillable red with character, balance, and real charm. Cheers!

Did You Know?
While carbonic maceration is often linked to Beaujolais, Umano applies the technique to Georgia’s flagship grape, Saperavi, bridging modern French methods with one of the world’s oldest wine cultures.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
A refined and affable carbonic red that surprised me. Not the usual bubblegum-driven style, but instead fresh, elegant, and genuinely tasty. A chillable red I’d happily pour again and again. — 5 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Akido – Rkatsiteli Qvevri – Amber Dry Wine – 2022
Kakheti – Georgia 🇬🇪

Overview
A traditionally made Georgian amber wine from 100% Rkatsiteli, fermented and aged in qvevri following Georgia’s 8,000-year-old winemaking heritage. This 2022 expression from Kakheti is skin-contact, ancestral in style, yet remarkably delicate and balanced, showcasing purity, texture, and restraint rather than rustic intensity.

Aromas & Flavors
Subtle aromas of dried apricot, quince, orange peel, and chamomile unfold with hints of honeyed nuts, white tea, and gentle spice. On the palate, flavors of baked apple, citrus pith, and dried herbs are layered with earthy undertones and a faint saline note.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with a fine, tactile grip from skin contact. The tannins are present but polished, giving structure without heaviness. Fresh acidity keeps the wine lifted, finishing clean, savory, and quietly persistent.

Food Pairings
Roasted vegetables, grilled poultry, lamb, mushroom dishes, Georgian cuisine, aged cheeses, or Mediterranean mezze.

Verdict
A beautifully restrained amber wine that highlights elegance over power. This Rkatsiteli Qvevri is an accessible and refined introduction to skin-contact wines, bridging ancient tradition with modern balance. Cheers!

Did You Know?
Qvevri winemaking involves fermenting and aging wine in large clay vessels buried underground, a UNESCO-recognized tradition unique to Georgia and practiced continuously for millennia.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
Ancestral, skin-contact, and genuinely enjoyable. Delicate, tasty, and expressive without being overpowering, this is the kind of amber wine that wins people over, even those cautious about orange wines. — 5 months ago