Mukuzani

2001

Dry red

Color:  Deep red garnet, consistent throughout the glass; very dense.

Body:  Medium moving into heavy

Flavors: Grape forwardness with undertones of earth, soft vegetal notes (green peppers), and a hint of raisined red fruit.

Sommolier’s Notes:

“Dense red garnet color…good color all the way through the glass.  Nose hints at carbonic maceration (slightly sweet notes in a dry wine) and is confirmed in the mouth.  The wine has a very grape-y flavor and in conjunction with the wine making process it almost takes on a candy-like  flavor with an earth undertone.  The dryness and medium moving into almost heavy body make it a great pair for heavier meats including beef and heavier preparations of game.  Any recipes used would benefit from the use of a fruit glaze (game) or black pepper to match the black pepper undertone in the nose and mouth of the wine.”

Recommendations:

Unique old world wine making method makes this Mukuzani a flexible pick for a wide variety of food pairings.  By using the carbonic maceration method, Georgian winemakers keep the body relatively light (for a red) without losing the flavor.  The wine boasts many flavors you find in both California and Australia vintages, but all in one bottle.