Orilo Saperavi Khashmi Dry Red Wine 2021
Full-bodied dry red wine · Orilo
Vintage: 2021
Type
Full-bodied dry red wine
Producer
Orilo
Country
Georgia
Vintage
2021
Region & Appellation
Kakheti, Khashmi PDO, Georgia
Grape Varieties
100% Saperavi
Color & Appearance
Deep, opaque ruby-purple with a youthful violet rim, showing high viscosity and slow-moving legs due to high extract and alcohol.
Aroma Profile
Intense primary aromas of ripe blackberries, black plums, and dark cherries, complemented by secondary notes of subtle spice and tertiary hints of earth, leather, and a smoky, graphite mineral undertone.
Tasting Notes
A powerful and structured palate that hits with robust dark fruit upfront, evolving into a complex mid-palate rich with mineral and earthy tones, culminating in a long, warming, and structured finish.
Flavor Profile
Dominated by black currant, blackberry, and dark plum, layered with notes of black pepper, licorice, dried herbs, wet stone, and subtle oak influence.
Body & Texture
Full-bodied with a velvety yet muscular texture, high extract, and a dense, weighty mouthfeel that commands attention.
Acidity & Tannins
High, refreshing acidity that cuts through the rich fruit, paired with firm, plentiful, and fine-grained tannins typical of the Saperavi variety.
Sweetness Level
Bone dry with negligible residual sugar, balanced by ripe fruit concentration and vibrant acidity.
Alcohol Content
13.5% to 14.5% ABV
Aging & Oak
Aged in a combination of traditional clay qvevri and neutral oak barrels to preserve varietal purity while adding subtle complexity.
Food Pairings
Ideal with heavy meat dishes such as grilled lamb chops, beef brisket, game meats, traditional Georgian shashlik, and hard, aged cheeses like mature Gouda or cheddar.
Serving Suggestions
Serve at 16-18°C (60-64°F) in a large Bordeaux glass. Decanting for 1 to 2 hours is highly recommended to open up the dense structure and aromas.
Price Range
$20 - $35 USD
Quality Assessment
Estimated score of 89-91 points. A premium, artisanal expression of Georgian winemaking that showcases the distinct typicity of the Khashmi micro-zone.
Production Methods
Hand-harvested grapes, often fermented with native yeasts following traditional Georgian qvevri methods or modern temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with extended skin contact, followed by gentle pressing and minimal fining.
Terroir
Grown in the Khashmi micro-zone of Kakheti, characterized by unique alluvial and cinnamonic forest soils, high sun exposure, and moderate continental climate influenced by Caucasian mountain breezes.
History & Heritage
Georgia is considered the cradle of wine, with an 8,000-year continuous winemaking history. Producers like Orilo harness these ancient traditions alongside modern quality standards to highlight specific micro-appellations like Khashmi.
Interesting Facts
Saperavi is one of the rare 'teinturier' grapes, meaning it has red flesh as well as red skin, resulting in wines with extraordinary color density and anthocyanin content.
Cellaring Potential
Excellent cellaring potential. Can be enjoyed now after decanting, but will continue to evolve gracefully and develop tertiary complexity over the next 5 to 10 years.
Similar Wines
Other premium Georgian Saperavis such as those from Pheasant's Tears, Schuchmann, or Badagoni, as well as bold New World Malbecs or Petite Sirahs.