Château Mukhrani Saperavi Superieur 2022 Georgia 750ml

Georgia is widely considered the cradle of viticulture — wine has been produced in this corner of the Caucasus for more than 7,000 years, making it one of the oldest continuously wine-producing nations on Earth. Saperavi is the country's own signature indigenous red grape, and Château Mukhrani's Superieur bottling is one of the clearest, most accessible expressions of it reaching international markets. "Saperavi is Georgia's endemic varietal and has all the noble characteristics making it one of the world's most outstanding red wines," as the estate's own importer puts it — "a rich, varietal, fruity wine of bountiful body."

The 2022 vintage is entirely hand-harvested from Château Mukhrani's own vineyards in Kartli, one of Georgia's most historically significant wine regions. Extraction is handled through a genuinely thorough combination of techniques — pump-over, délestage, and punching down — all aimed at pulling maximum color and aromatic intensity from Saperavi's naturally deep, dye-like skins (the grape's very name derives from the Georgian word for "dye," a reference to just how much color and pigment it carries). Following careful malolactic fermentation, roughly 20% of the blend rests in a combination of French, American, and Caucasian oak barrels — a genuinely unusual cooperage mix, with the local Caucasian oak lending a specific regional character alongside the more familiar French and American wood.

Wine-Searcher's critic aggregate places the wine at 88 points across recent vintages, and reviews of neighboring years give a strong sense of what to expect from this style. Wine Enthusiast's Mike DeSimone, reviewing the 2015 vintage, described "a deep purple-colored wine" with "a nose of black cherry and roasted red pepper," noting it "seems easy-drinking at first sip, and then slightly grippy tannins set in among flavors of cherry, blackberry, sun-dried tomato and espresso," with the tannins ultimately giving way to "a bright finish." An independent reviewer, tasting the 2017 vintage and awarding it 91 points, found "loads of black and blue fruit, some charred wood notes, spice box and a sweet smelling component, like jam" on the nose, with a dry palate carrying "nice tannins and bracing acidity," delivering "blackberry jam, black plum, blueberry compote, charcoal and spice," concluding it was "a very balanced wine that has loads of cellaring potential." The estate's own official notes describe a deep ruby color with purple reflections, aromas of black mulberry, blackberry, and cherry, complemented by subtle soft oak and a touch of spice, with a full and powerful taste balancing fruit, velvety tannins, and a persistent, elegant finish. This is genuinely ancient winemaking heritage in a bottle, made genuinely accessible.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Château Mukhrani is a historic Georgian winery producing wine in the Kartli region, part of a country widely recognized as the birthplace of viticulture itself, with a continuous winemaking tradition stretching back more than 7,000 years. The estate combines traditional Georgian production methods — including the ancient practice of fermenting and aging wine in buried clay amphorae known as qvevri, used elsewhere in the château's broader portfolio — with modern cellar technology, cultivating both indigenous Georgian varieties like Saperavi, Rkatsiteli, Kisi, and Mtsvane alongside international grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Merlot.

The Saperavi Superieur bottling is made entirely from Saperavi, hand-harvested from Château Mukhrani's own estate vineyards to ensure consistent quality. Fermentation employs a combination of pump-over, délestage, and punching-down techniques, all aimed at achieving optimal extraction of color and aroma from the grape's characteristically deep, richly pigmented skins. Following careful malolactic fermentation, approximately 20% of the finished blend is aged in a combination of French, American, and Caucasian oak barrels, adding complexity and structural balance without overwhelming Saperavi's naturally powerful, fruit-forward character. Bottled at 12.5% ABV.

Critics Reviews

Wine-Searcher aggregate — 88/100 (across 14 critic reviews, all vintages)

No specific numerical score is confirmed for the 2022 vintage individually. For adjacent-vintage and house-style context:

Mike DeSimone, Wine Enthusiast (2015 vintage):
"This deep purple-colored wine features a nose of black cherry and roasted red pepper. It seems easy-drinking at first sip, and then slightly grippy tannins set in among flavors of cherry, blackberry, sun-dried tomato and espresso. The tannins slip away as a bright finish takes hold of the palate."

Independent review, Casper Nick (2017 vintage) — 91 Points:
"This one is opaque ruby and a touch murky. The nose has loads of black and blue fruit, some charred wood notes, spice box and a sweet smelling component, like jam. The palate is dry with really nice tannins and bracing acidity. Blackberry jam, black plum, blueberry compote, charcoal and spice wrap neatly around the structural components. Very balanced wine that has loads of cellaring potential. Medium to full bodied it finishes with medium length fruit and lots of astringency."

Château Mukhrani / official (house style):
"Château Mukhrani Saperavi has a deep ruby color with purple reflections. The bouquet is rich and intense, with aromas of black mulberry, blackberry, and cherry, complemented by subtle hints of soft oak and a touch of spices. The taste is full and powerful, with an excellent balance between fruity notes, velvety tannins, and a persistent, elegant finish."

Total Wine (house style tasting note):
"The Chateau Mukhrani Saperavi has excellent vinosity. With flavors ranging from black mulberry through to blackberry and cherry, this opulent ruby colored wine exudes a soft oak palate with velvety tannins."

Tasting Profile

Nose
Deep ruby with purple reflections. Black mulberry, blackberry, and cherry lead, joined by black cherry and roasted red pepper, with charred wood notes, spice box, and a sweet, jam-like character. Subtle soft oak adds gentle warmth.

Palate
Full and powerful, with excellent balance between fruit, velvety tannins, and structure. Blackberry jam, black plum, and blueberry compote build genuine depth, alongside sun-dried tomato, espresso, and charcoal. Bracing acidity and grippy tannins provide real backbone.

Finish
Persistent and elegant, with a bright close as the tannins gradually resolve. Medium to full-bodied throughout, with genuine cellaring potential reflecting Saperavi's naturally structured, age-worthy character.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Chakapuli — traditional Georgian meat stew
• Lamb
• Grilled hamburgers
• Hearty meat dishes generally