Yacoubian Hobbs 2018 Areni Vayots Dzor Armenia

95 Points The Tasting Panel Magazine – Paul Hobbs partnered with the Yacoubian family to the ‘birthplace of wine,’ for this high-altitude, mineral-driven indigenous red (Areni, with 5% Tozot) from Rind in the Vayots Dzor province. Aged 20 months in stainless steel, there’s an immediate notation of elegance. A stream of strawberry and rose petals are sublime and thinking about the water source from the melting snow of Mount Ararat has our heads spinning. The wine reaches a floral crescendo from mid-palate to finish, with a dip into spiced cedar, white pepper, and cinnamon.

This deep garnet colored wine has aromas of strawberry, pomegranate and lilac. It is bright on entry, with velvety tannins and flavors of black cherry, blackberry, aniseed and vanilla that culminate in a soft, spicy finish.

In the village of Rind, the Areni grape thrives in rich volcanic and limestone soils. Hot summers are tempered by cooler temperatures at these high elevation sites, and water is provided by the melting snow caps atop Mount Ararat.

Varietal composition: 100% Areni

Wine profile: aromas of red berries, black cherries, floral notes of violets, and dried red fruits mirror the flavors, which are both intense and elegant on the palate. A ripe and powerful tannic structure and refreshing acidity bring balance to the fruit flavors, culminating in a complex yet harmonious finish.

Elevation: over 1,300 meters (4,000 feet)

Winemaking: fermentation and aging in stainless steel

Production: 1,100 cases