Aladasturi 2019 (Lagvinari)

Drink now or cellar for up to 10 years. No need to decant before serving. Eko Glonti worked as a medical doctor and geologist before a chance encounter with the natural wine champion Isabelle Legeron led him to start making his own wines. He produced his first vintage in 2011 at the age of 49 and since then he has dedicated his winery to crafting sensational Georgian wines using traditional winemaking methods that date back to ancient times. Eko’s Aladasturi red wine has been compared to a fine red Burgundy thanks to the elegance and poise of this classic Georgian grape variety which is barely known outside of the country. Eko uses large clay pots or qvevri to ferment the fruit, a practice which is thought to have been used by the earliest winemakers. After 8 months in the vessel, including 3 months of skin contact, the wine is ready to be bottled. In the glass the first thing you’ll notice is the delicate pale red hue and enticing aromas of pomegranate, red cherries, and bay leaf. The first sip reveals a medium body, refreshing acidity, and a gentle core of ripe red fruit which lingers on the palate. The subtle tannins and balanced flavour profile make this a great wine to match with tomato-based dishes or charcuterie.