The rising popularity of Georgia’s Saperavi grape in Australian vineyards

[Matt@5453]

[url]https://www.wbmonline.com.au/the-rising-popu ... wHcClICcSk[/url]

[Scotty vino]

my wife opened a 2014 Patritti Saperavi over the weekend. huge wine.
seemed really dense/black with massive oak. I found it slightly overwhelming if im honest.

[Stomper]

I'm a fan of Gapsted's Sparkling Saperavi. Very nice.

[cuttlefish]

Peter Read was a pioneer with introducing this grape variety. His was the Symphonia winery which he has since sold (within the family, I believe) and now owned by Dal Zotto , I think?
He may have had his Saperavi in first in Australia. I still have bottles of the 2002 release but I doubt that was his first release.

[tuxy85]

I have tried the Ballandean estate saperavi and I enjoyed it - it was very full bodied, especially by Granite Belt standards. My wife and I are heading to the Granite Belt in December for a few days and we'll stay at Ridgemill Estate in their cabins - I look forward to trying their Saperavi.

[sjw_11]

I used to really like the Hugh Hamilton "Oddball" Saperavi... I think I still have a couple in the cellar, I wanted to see how they would age.

As an aside, not a winery I ever see mentioned on here, but I used to be a regular buyer and always thought they offered great QPR for well made, unmistakably Aussie mclaren vale wines... anyone tried them lately?

[Bobthebuilder]

I opened a Georgian saperavi on Friday, pheasants tears 2015
Both me and my neighbour tasting partner decided it needed to be left until Sunday to breathe
It was well worth it as the massive tannins had settled nicely and it had soften and integrated very nicely and let some lovely fruit show its stuff.
From this isolated example I’m thinking this is a grape that works very well with a wine for long term clearing when made in the traditional Georgian style.

[Luke W]

I'm a fan of Gapsted's Sparkling Saperavi. Very nice.

I agree, a wonderful wine even better than the still version which I think is pretty good too.
One of the Granite Belt saps had a lousy nose but a palate that was sensational, I think it was the Ridgemill.

[sparky]

We've been having a look at quite a few an a Friday arvo with the lawyer down the hall who has a Russian bridge.

Anyways.. Billy Button's came up pretty well - cooler climate with a lighter touch that some which seems to suit the varietal and retain some of the prettier characters. Jo's doing some fun stuff there with some lesser known varietals. Well worth a visit and a look.