PARKER: 98

Sébastien David consulted on Vazisubani Estate's 2018 Vin de Géorgie Primitif, which is a radiant orange blend from Georgia based on Rkatsiteli and Mtsvane grapes that macerated in qvevri for 180 days. The orange color is legendary in its radiant brilliance, and the deep, elegant and concentrated nose displays the most beautiful (and clear) dried apricot and peach aroma imaginable and it is paired with yeasty and spicy notes such as mustard seed but also notes of dried dates and figs, a touch of caramel and porcini. The palate starts finessed and elegant and develops an intense and beautifully balanced texture with seductive fruit, and this all is structured by a complex of very fine tannins and elegant, perfectly integrated acidity. This is the most beautiful orange wine I have ever had, and if you ever want to argue against this beautifully colored wine category, you can't do it seriously without having tasted this Primitif—which would be weightless if it wasn’t that concentrated, intense and gorgeous. The fruit is beautiful from nose to tail, and the finish is very long and seemingly sweet but that’s due to the perfect ripeness, balance and extract of this orange legend. Absolutely adorable. Tasted in June 2021.