Paşaeli Continues to Push the Envelope
Disclaimer: This post includes wines received as a sample. All opinions are my own.
Two years ago, I was privileged to try Paşaeli’s experimental, super limited edition Karasakız Pét-Nat. Due to a supply chain problem, they were unable to make one for the 2022 vintage. Lucky for me though, everything came together for the 2023 vintage and I was again privileged to receive a bottle.
Karasakız has long been an underappreciated grapes here. Not unknown, not exactly rare. It has recently caught a lot more attention though with four wineries (since my last post about the Paşaeli pét-nat) making wine with it. Long overdue in my opinion! I’m so happy to see it getting more recognition. 
As far as Paşaeli is concerned though, this pioneering winery has long seen Karasakız’s potential, making several high-end bottlings. Their grapes come from old bush wines in the Kaz Dağları in the Aegean and the wines notably include the 6\N Karasakız – Merlot, the 6\N Karasakız, a 6\N Karasakız Old Vine, and a few very precious bottles of the red pét-nat.
Paşaeli Karasakız Pét-Nat, 2023
The difference between the 2021 and 2023 vintages were both remarkable and immediately noticeable. The wine’s berry-purple color, paler and more brilliant than the deep ruby of the previous vintage was the first sign things were different this year.
A stunning nose with everything I love about Karasakız: mulberry and black currant, an earthy black currant leaf note, and lashings of freshly cracked black pepper. A sip showed a lightly effervescent wine with flavors as purple as the color in the glass with a splash of blood orange, and more black pepper. I found the 2021 vintage to be slightly medicinal/bitter but there was none of that here. Just earthy fruits and pepper.
I loved loved this. I deeply wish this were commercially available! Hint hint!