In the world of fine wine, longevity is rarely planned. More often, it is shaped by circumstance, patience, and restraint. Kardenakhi 7’s Saamo 1987 is a striking example of this truth—a fortified Georgian wine whose 30-year journey was not driven by commercial ambition, but by history itself.

Produced by Kardenakhi 7, a fully family-owned winery with over 40,000 square metres of estate vineyards, Saamo 1987 traces its origins to a single harvest year. Although commonly referred to as “Saamo,” the wine is made from the Tsitsiteli grape, with the name reflecting its production style rather than a grape variety. What followed after the 1987 harvest would define its legacy.

Traditional Foundations, Rare Decisions

After harvest, the wine was made using traditional Georgian methods, with fermentation involving qvevri—large clay vessels integral to Georgia’s ancient winemaking culture. Following this initial stage, Saamo 1987 was transferred into oak barrels, where it remained for seven years. Unlike many fortified wines, this aging was carried out under sunlight, a deliberate choice to build tannic structure and aromatic intensity.

The oak barrels played a defining role. According to the family, this seven-year period shaped the wine’s core identity—its aroma, depth, and textural complexity. Mandarin notes, layered tannins, and an intense aromatic presence are all attributed directly to this extended barrel aging.

A Wine Hidden by History

By the mid-1990s, Saamo 1987 was intended for release. But history intervened. The outbreak of civil war in Georgia brought all plans to a halt. With uncertainty gripping the country, the family made the decision to hide the wine rather than sell or disturb it.

What followed was an unplanned yet extraordinary period of rest. For more than three decades, Saamo 1987 was kept under constant temperature and humidity, sealed and untouched. After its time in oak, the wine was transferred to stainless steel reservoirs, where it remained undisturbed for decades—never blended, never chemically altered, and never reprocessed.

This prolonged aging was not the result of modern cellar design or intentional experimentation. It was, as the family describes it, accidental perfection.

Revealed After 30 Years

In 2024, the decision was finally made to open the wine to the world. Upon release, Saamo 1987 was presented to leading international competitions, including the IWSC and the London Wine Competition. The results were decisive: gold medals across competitions, a 98-point gold score, and a perfect 100 score for quality—an unprecedented achievement for a Georgian wine of this category.

Saamo 1987 was also recognized as Best Indigenous Grape Wine of the Year, reinforcing both its technical excellence and its cultural significance.

What Makes Saamo 1987 Singular

Saamo 1987 is a dessert-style fortified wine, designed not for casual consumption but for contemplation and collectability. Its alcohol level exceeds its sugar level—a rare balance that sets it apart stylistically and structurally. The wine has never been reproduced and, by the family’s own account, never can be. No further Saamo fortified wines were made after 1987, making this release entirely finite.

Its exclusivity extends beyond the liquid itself. Following its international recognition, the family redesigned the packaging from scratch, selecting French glass, cork, wood, and materials throughout. The bottle—named Hercules—was chosen to reflect the wine’s power, endurance, and stature.

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Wine

Saamo 1987 is not positioned as a volume product or a domestic staple. It has been intentionally withheld from the Georgian market, reserved instead for international collectors, importers, and institutions seeking something truly irreplaceable. With nearly 40 years of uninterrupted aging, it represents a moment in Georgian winemaking that cannot be recreated.

In a global market where age statements are often engineered, Saamo 1987 stands apart as a wine shaped by time, restraint, and history—a fortified wine aged not by design, but by destiny.

Header image sourced from LTD Kardenakhi 7.