Iberieli: Khikhvi 2023

Khikhvi naturally carries a distinctive aromatic signature, and here it comes through as dried apricot, ripe yellow fruit, and a seed-and-herb edge. The short maceration gives texture without turning the wine heavy. On the palate it’s dry, grippy, and quietly intense. The finish feels savory and “stone-dusted.”

Winery: Iberieli
Origin: Tsinandali village, Kakheti
Vintage: 2023
Eye: Rich Yellow
Alcohol: 12.00%

Food pairings:

Pumpkin ravioli with sage butter: stone-fruit character meets sweet squash; grip balances butter.

Duck confit + lentils: savoury richness fits structured phenolics.

Manchego + dried apricots: classic salty–stone-fruit bridge

Iberieli is a family winery run by Zurab Topuridze, with vineyards and winemaking rooted in both Guria (West Georgia) and Kakheti (East Georgia). The estate’s aim is to protect Georgia’s authentic qvevri tradition, making natural-leaning wines from native grapes with a clear sense of place.

Disclaimer: in Kakheti, Zurab’s vineyard sits near Alazani River on stony soils, and his preference for lighter macerations often brings a distinct stony minerality to the finished wines.

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