Manavi Wines
Website: https://www.manaviwines.ge/
Manavi is the project of Giorgi Aivazyan.
These wines come from the village of Manavi, a small microzone in the eastern part of Kakheti, at an altitude of 750 m. The whole village has 50 hectares of vines, and he has 7 hectares spread over many different plots. He doesn’t buy any grapes, and makes all his wines in qvevri.
Giorgi has a background in the coffee industry but transitioned to wine production in 2021. Developing an interest in natural wines, he opened the Givino wine bar in Tblisi.
Manavi Wines Mtsvane Pet Nat 2023, Georgia
This fruity offering shines with pleasant acidity and notes of pear and apple. Touches of melon richness further enhance the flavours. The wine is nicely weighted, and it scores a 90 out of 100.
Manavi Wines Saperavi Pet Nat 2023, Georgia
This Pale pink variant is a fruity delight with a good measure of acidity and a subtle hint of sweetness. Flavours predominantly feature apple and cherry, making it quite appealing. It also scores a 90 out of 100.
Manavi Wines Rkatsiteli 2022, Georgia
Pressed directly into qvevri, this variant is bright with excellent acidity. It features the taste of apple, lemon and pear, with an unusual cheesy, leesy edge. The wine is well-weighted with a touch of sourness in the finish. It scores a commendable 92 out of 100.
Manavi Wines Mtsvane 2022 Georgia
The favorite variety of Giorgi, it was directly pressed to qvevri. The taste is an intriguing mix of stony, chalky, cheesy, and tangy notes, creating a wine with impressive character. There’s a lovely weight to it in the mouth, refreshing and detailed. Rated 93 out of 100.
Manavi Wines Mtsvane 2021 Georgia
Delayed harvest due to an unprepared cellar and a subsequent three week stint of rain. Debut vintage, also directly pressed to qvevri. Features a vibrant combination of poached pear, peach and lemon flavors. An enthralling tanginess with a lovely weight in the mouth. This is a rich and complex wine, receiving a score of 94 out of 100.
Manavi Wines Rkatsiteli Skins 2022 Georgia
This was destemmed and then fermented on skins for a month. Its gold and bronze hues mirrors its high-acidity, appley structure and intense character. A trace of raisin, along with plentiful spices, can be detected. A firm and powerful wine, it scores a 94 out of 100.
Manavi Wines Rkatsiteli Mtsvane 2021 Georgia
Equal blend of both items, aged for 6 months on skins in qvevri. The wine’s gold and orange tones are mirrored in its light but mighty and structured palate, which features intense flavor notes of peach, apricot, and lemon, as well as good acidity. Grippy, finely-textured, with a pleasant structure, it earned a 94 out of 100 rating.
Manavi Wines Saperavi 2021 Georgia
Two weeks on skins. Bright and lively with nice intensity. Structured with lovely grip and fresh, pure red fruits. Good tannin and acidity, but not heavy. 93/100