In a global fine wine market dominated by established appellations and highly commercialized prestige brands, it is rare for a virtually unknown cellar to produce one of the world’s highest-rated fortified wines. Rarer still when that wine has spent nearly four decades aging quietly in a private Georgian cellar, never intended for sale. Yet this is precisely the story of LTD Kardenakhi 7—and its now-celebrated fortified Rkatsiteli, Saamo 1987.

Crowned Best Wine by Quality at the 2025 London Wine Competition with an exceptional 98 points, Saamo 1987 has also earned top honours at the IWSC, where judges described it as “hugely expressive,” with a Madeira-like aromatic profile, remarkable viscosity, and exceptional balance after nearly 40 years of ageing. The wine has since become one of the highest-scoring fortified wines of the year, positioning Kardenakhi 7 as one of the most intriguing emerging names for the global fine wine trade.

A Rediscovery, Not a Launch

Saamo 1987 was never conceived as a commercial release. Along with its sibling wine, Khikhvi 1985, it spent over 30 years aging in the personal cellar of winemaker and owner Malkhaz Gvelukashvili in the historic village of Kardenakhi, eastern Georgia. The wines were crafted for preservation rather than promotion—an approach that stands in sharp contrast to today’s market-driven production cycles.

Gvelukashvili, a Georgian native with a BSc and Master’s degree in oenology and fortified wines, combines academic rigour with deep cultural roots. He has spent more than two decades representing Sartorius, the German biotech and laboratory solutions company, across the Caucasus—experience that has shaped his highly controlled, technically precise approach to winemaking. At the same time, he remains committed to Georgia’s ancient kvevri tradition, recognised by UNESCO as part of the world’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The wines were first shown to English sommeliers and wine writers in October 2024 through the National Wine Agency of Georgia. Their response prompted a last-minute decision to bottle the wines professionally and enter them into the London Wine Competition. Even then, customs delays nearly prevented the samples from arriving in time.

Why Saamo Stands Apart

What makes Saamo 1987 particularly compelling for the trade is not just its score, but its style and provenance. Produced from Rkatsiteli—Georgia’s most widely planted indigenous white grape—the wine challenges long-held assumptions about the variety’s ageing potential. Fortified and aged for nearly 40 years, Saamo displays a profile more commonly associated with old Madeira or mature white Colheita Port.

IWSC judges highlighted aromas reminiscent of Madeira-style oxidation, while noting that “the fruit still shines and oak is well balanced.” On the palate, fig, dried fruit, citrus peel, and layered nuttiness combine with exceptional length and viscosity. Harry Crowther of The Buyer described it as “unforgettable,” comparing its intensity and complexity to historic fortified wines from the 1960s.

For buyers focused on differentiation, Saamo offers something increasingly scarce: genuine rarity with independent validation.

A Private Cellar, Now Opening Its Doors

LTD Kardenakhi 7 operates more like a personal vault than a conventional winery. Its 40,000 square metres of Rkatsiteli vineyards feed into a single 140-year-old kvevri with a capacity of 3,550 litres—an approach rooted in patience rather than volume. Alongside Saamo 1987, the cellar also holds Khikhvi 1985, another fortified wine that secured Gold medals at both the London Wine Competition and IWSC 2025, scoring 96 and 95 points respectively.

Neither wine is currently available in any market. Despite interest from international distributors and luxury hotel groups, Kardenakhi 7 has taken a deliberately measured approach, waiting for competition results before engaging commercially. The winery’s stated priority is a thoughtful entry into Europe, with the UK identified as a key launch market.

A Compelling Proposition for Fine Wine Portfolios

For distributors and importers operating in the premium and collectible wine space, Kardenakhi 7 presents a rare opportunity. These wines are not extensions of an existing brand; they are first-time releases with decades of ageing, proven critical acclaim, and a narrative rooted in authenticity rather than marketing.

The understated label of Saamo—marked with the phrase “Only You Alone”—reflects the personal intent behind the wine, including a quiet dedication to women. It is emblematic of a cellar that has always prioritised meaning over momentum.

As the global trade continues to search for distinctive stories, indigenous grapes, and wines with genuine provenance, Kardenakhi 7 demonstrates that some of the most compelling offerings are still emerging from places—and cellars—long overlooked. Saamo’s success is not just a triumph for one Georgian producer, but a reminder that time, restraint, and craftsmanship remain powerful currencies in the fine wine world.

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