Arila Gardens Moppa Saperavi 2024
- 93
- $45
- Drink by: 2026-2036
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The fruit used here came from the Nietschke Moppa Estate Vineyard. Fermentation was in small open top fermenters for nine days and maturation was in older French oak hogsheads on light lees for sixteen months. Fair to say that Saperavi is still a niche variety, but don’t be surprised to see it getting serious traction over the next few years, especially if we can enjoy more wines like this. A near black colour with a dark magenta rim, this is a very good example of a Saperavi. We have aromas weaving through blackberries, fresh beetroot, dried herbs, chocolate, cigar boxes, cacao powder and tobacco leaves. There is good intensity throughout with a supple texture through to the powerful if rather satiny tannins on a persistent finish. The intensity never wavers for a moment. This will drink very well over the next decade.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
