2002 Teliani Valley Mukuzani Kakheti

phlogiston

I expected this to be a sweet Stalin's plonk but it was actually excellent. I guess they can't import their better wines to Russia since the whole diplomatic spat so they're trying to sell it in the US for a significant markup.

It is a dry wine with flavors of strawberry, jam, and violet, somewhat like a Syrah but with some smokey undertones. I tried this bottle 11/17/06 and it did not seem too young to me. According to various internet sites this wine ages well.

This grape varietal has been in cultivation since 5000 BC in Georgia and is the progenitor of many famous European grapes. Perhaps Jason brought some back on the Argos, or perhaps Medea toasted with it after killing her husband's mistress with an autopyrolytic dress.

Tasting Tags: berry jam smoke strawberry