A 14-year old bottle of Rkatsitelli? Was I insane? I figured it would taste like sherry. I shrugged my shoulders. At least I would open up some room in my over crowded cellar. What the hell. It was #openlocalwine Saturday, March 28, 2020. I was opening bottles and tasting with friend Bryan Van Deusen. I had nothing to lose. If the wine was no good, I would sadly bow my head and pour it down the drain, dejected. Another case of a star left behind, like the aged starlet in Sunset Boulevard. I felt kinda bad I'd left this one by accident.
Assuredly, let me tell, such was not the case.
According to Wikiperdia, "This ancient vinifera originates in Georgia and is one of the oldest grape varieties. In Georgia, clay vessels were found with seeds of Rkatsiteli grapes which date back to 3000 BC. Rkatsiteli was popular in the Soviet Union prior to its fall and at one point was responsible for more the 18% of all Soviet wine production.[citation needed] There it was used to make everything from table wine to liqueurs to Sherry-like fortified wine. Prior to President Gorbachev's vine pull scheme, it was possibly the world's most widely planted white wine grape.
In Kakheti it was particularly known for its sweet dessert wines fashioned in the same manner as port wine. There were many attempts to create a sparkling wine from the grape but its naturally high alcohol levels prevented it from being much of a success. The grape is mostly planted in its ancestral home of Georgia though there are still sizable plantings in other Eastern European countries like Russia, Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania, North Macedonia, Azerbaijan and Ukraine.
The Dr. Konstantin Frank Rkastiteli 2006 from the Finger Lakes was more than ready for it's star turn!
The wine was a deep gold. A big whiff of honeydew, honeysuckle, dried apricots, and peach wafted out if the glass. There were also a hint of sherry like notes. Dates. Nuts. But the wine itself was fantastic. It was all fruit up front, with a few semi-sweet/off-dry notes. But it ended with a tremendous lemony kick that gave it terrific zip. The final result was a big mouthfeel wine, with lots of grip, layers, and structure. It was absolutely fantastic!
A 14 year old Rkatsiteli and it was absolutely spectacular. And it was definitely ready for its close-up! Fantastic!