2010 Pheasant's Tears Saperavi Republic of Georgia
Before the Greeks, before the Romans, it was the Georgians who were making wine. Archeological evidence dates back 8,000 years, references to Georgian wines can be found in the writings of Homor and Apollonius, and even the Georgian alphabet seems to have its origins in the shapes made by the tendrils of grape vines. Pheasant's Tears is the joint effort of American John Wurdeman, Georgian Gela Patalishvili and Swedes Erik Andermo, Jakob Mörndal and Henrik Callerstrand, to preserve and promote this amazing cultural legacy. All of Pheasant's Tears wines, including this Saperavi--which means black in Georgian, are fermented and aged in the clay vessels called qvevri. The 2010 is a full-bodied, earthy ink-dark red with notes of currants and almond skin. Firm tannins and good, rounding acidity.