94pts, TastingPanel Magazine
A thrilling wine, with wild strawberry and vanilla cream, dotted with spiced red tea, tomato leaf, and red beets. Acidity reigns supreme; lifting rose petals and mulled raspberries to a beautifully balanced level. Sensational.
Meridith May
A thrilling wine, with wild strawberry and vanilla cream, dotted with spiced red tea, tomato leaf, and red beets. Acidity reigns supreme; lifting rose petals and mulled raspberries to a beautifully balanced level. Sensational.
Meridith May
17.5pts, JancisRobinson.com
Silk, pepper and barberries. Dark raspberry. Bruised rose petal. Sylvan strawberry. Black sand. Forest floor. Heart seemingly gleaming with dark light like black onyx. Silvery tannins. A leitmotif of flavours forming the shape of a teardrop in my mouth, like a paisley pattern, whorling with complexity and rhythm. As I was trying to ‘see’ in my head this very specific shape that the wine kept drawing, I looked up ‘paisley’ and discovered that it’s an iconic symbol in the Persianate cultural sphere, called buta in Armenia! Completely coincidental, but fascinating that the haunting elegance of this stunning wine is expressed in something so culturally poignant.
Tamlyn Currin
Silk, pepper and barberries. Dark raspberry. Bruised rose petal. Sylvan strawberry. Black sand. Forest floor. Heart seemingly gleaming with dark light like black onyx. Silvery tannins. A leitmotif of flavours forming the shape of a teardrop in my mouth, like a paisley pattern, whorling with complexity and rhythm. As I was trying to ‘see’ in my head this very specific shape that the wine kept drawing, I looked up ‘paisley’ and discovered that it’s an iconic symbol in the Persianate cultural sphere, called buta in Armenia! Completely coincidental, but fascinating that the haunting elegance of this stunning wine is expressed in something so culturally poignant.
Tamlyn Currin
94pts, VinePair
World-renowned winemaker Paul Hobbs has worked with Armenia’s Yacoubian family since 2008. Together, they produce wine from native grapes — like this blend of 90 percent Areni and 10 percent Kakhet — from the high-elevation Vayots Dzor province. The wine opens with notes of Mediterranean cooking herbs, black pepper, and blackberry jam. The palate is spot-on with more herbaceous notes, tart raspberries, and spice.
Keith Beavers
World-renowned winemaker Paul Hobbs has worked with Armenia’s Yacoubian family since 2008. Together, they produce wine from native grapes — like this blend of 90 percent Areni and 10 percent Kakhet — from the high-elevation Vayots Dzor province. The wine opens with notes of Mediterranean cooking herbs, black pepper, and blackberry jam. The palate is spot-on with more herbaceous notes, tart raspberries, and spice.
Keith Beavers
90pts, Wine Enthusiast
Velvety and refined, it has black cherry and plum at the core. The palate is fruit forward yet balanced, showing smooth tannins and a touch of spice. Medium bodied with moderate length, it delivers both charm and poise.
Aleks Zecevic
Velvety and refined, it has black cherry and plum at the core. The palate is fruit forward yet balanced, showing smooth tannins and a touch of spice. Medium bodied with moderate length, it delivers both charm and poise.
Aleks Zecevic