/docs/HDDocs : revision 63

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Armenia

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Years: 2014 (good), 2015 (bad), 2016 (mid), 2017 (mid+), 2018 (bad?)

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Domain Avetisyan, Kataro (Khndoghni), Artsakh (Togh) 2015 4,500 +++/91 Medium bodied wine with the mix of pomergranate and red currant on the nose. A bit simple, but very well balanced and goes well with food.

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Domain Avetisyan, Kataro (Khndoghni), Artsakh (Togh) 2016 6,100 +/92 More tannic and full bodied than 2015.

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Domain Avetisyan, Kataro (Khndoghni), Artsakh (Togh) 2017 6,000 + Heavy, tannic. Needs air.

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Domain Avetisyan, Kataro (Khndoghni), Artsakh (Togh) 2018 6,000 ~+~+!!/88 Lighter and with less character. Med, tannic, mid-long. Pommergranate, cassis, cherries, but somehow faint.

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Domain Avetisyan, Kataro Reserve (Khndoghni), Artsakh (Togh) 2014 8,500 !!/93 Full bodied. Cherries, blackberies, a bit of pomergranate. Tannic.

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Domain Avetisyan, Kataro Reserve (Khndoghni), Artsakh (Togh) 2015 10,200 +/90 Some dimmension is missing. Non-reserva I think is better this year

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Domain Avetisyan, Kataro White (Kangun 75%,Voskehat 20% and Katun Kharji 5%), Artsakh (Togh) 2018 ./85

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Sarafian Vineyards, Aran (Sireni), Artsakh (Askeran) 2018 4,000 +/91 Full, 2h! Pretty much in direction of Kataro.

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Takri, Reserve (Khndoghni), Artsakh (Jabrayil) 2014 9,400 !!!

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Takri, Khndoghni, Artsakh (Jabrayil) ? +~/89 Nice, but not quite there. Balanced, easy going, but not that complex. Medium bodied, medium finish. Plums, cherries, blackberries.

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Highland Winery, Koor (Areni + Sireni), 2015 +++/92

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Highland Winery, Koor (Areni + Sireni), 2016 5,400 +!+

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Highland Winery, Koor (Areni + Sireni), 2017 5,400 +/92

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Highland Winery, Koor Voskehat [W], Aragatsotn 2015 +./89 Pears on the nose, black currant on the palate, and long pleasantly bitter finish. Going in the direction of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, but lacks the fresh citrus notes.

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Highland Winery, Koor (White), 2016 ~ Less interesting than 2015. Balanced, but too sweet. Pears, mango and subtle white currant. Long mineral and slightly sweet finish.

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Highland Winery, Koor Reserve (Areni + Sireni), 2014 !+!/94 Great aroma, but still a bit too young. Needs lots of air.

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Highland Winery, Koor Reserve (Areni + Sireni), Areni 2015 13,200 + Bad year

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Trinity Canyon, EH Red, Areni 2015 13,000 + Lacks complexity, but potentially good (2015 seems just bad year)

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Trinity Canyon, EH Red, Areni 2017 8,900 !/93 Medium and probably one of a more complex pure Areni wines out of there

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Trinity Canyon, EH White, Areni 2016 + Mineral, refreshing. High acidity, long, well balanced. White currant, lime, lime zest. Almost NZ, but misses complexity of grapefruit.

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Trinity Canyon, 6100 Red, Areni 2017 + Lots of furits on the nose. Body: lingonberry, pomergranate, raspberry. Leather and earth in the long finish. Medium.

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Trinity Canyon, 6100 Red, Areni 2018 +/90 Med+, tannic, jammy, long (but not that interesting). Pommergranate, raspberries, sour cherries. Ends: a bit of paper & vanila.

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Trinity Canyon, 6100 White, Areni 2018 ~/87 Quince followed by nice acidic notes. Finishes with herbs and hints of minerality.

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Trinity Canyon, Crossroads Areni - Cabernet, Areni 2017 !!!/95 Medium to heavy, pretty tannic, complex, and long. Compote of dark fruits: fig, sour cheries, blackberies. Very long and dry finish: sour cheries, blackberies, earthness, spices. The legs like in brandy.

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Trinity Canyon, Crossroads Areni - Syrah, Areni 2017 ~/89 Complex, heavy, and tannic like Cabernet variant, but this has excessive bitterness spoiling the wine balance. Blackberries, cassis, physalis, grapefruit.

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Trinity Canyon, Crossroads Areni - Syrah, Areni 2018 +!/93 Full, tannic, medium-long (2h). Red prunes, sour cherries, hints of pomergranate, leather/earth. Pomergranate skins, oak notes, and bitter chocolate. Was not yet open in 2019 (graded at 91).

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Trinity Canyon, Jazz (50% Areni, 45% Cab, 5% Merlot), Areni 2016 !/93 Very well balanced composition of pomergranate, sour cherries, blackberies, and cassis. High on tannins, full bodied, velvety, with multilayer lingering finish. At least 2h.

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Trinity Canyon, Jazz Red (65% Kakhet, 25% Cab, 10% Areni), Areni 2017 3,900 + Similar to Savoie Gamay. Light, medium to high acidity. Cherries, pomergranate, spicies...

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Trinity Canyon, Jazz Red (Areni & Merlot), Areni 2018 ./85 light+, mid+ finish. Herbaceous with notes of pommergranate & rowanberry. All is almost gone after short decanting, then only spicies like Sicily.

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Trinity Canyon, Jazz White (Areni & Chardonay), Areni 2018 ~ Too much of the Chardonay in the taste. High acidity, a bit too herbat towards the end.

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Trinity Canyon, Jazz White, ? ~ Notes of coffee? Light acidity, medium finish. Rather textured for a white wine.

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Trinity Canyon, Areni, Areni 2016 ./88 Extremely pommergranaty: in aroma, body, and finish. Also, cheries, cassis, but not much. Velvety, medium bodied, medium finish. Dominated by pommergranates and misses complexity.

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ArmAs, Karmrahyut, Aragatsotn 2014 ~/89 Med+, dark purple, chewy. This grape should be drinken as reserva. Herbal (roses, basil), hints of black fruits. Rowan berries, walnuts, cloves, fallen leaves.

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ArmAs, Karmrahyut Reserve, Aragatsotn 2013 !!!/94 Full, tannic, very dry, elegant, and complex (2h!). Prunes, sour cherries, aronia, grape seeds, subtle spices.

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ArmAs, Areni Reserve, Aragatsotn 2012 ~/89 Good areni but no body from Reserva. Med+, acid, medium length. Sour cherries, cassis, pomergranate, fallen leaves, apricot seeds. Fallen leaves a bit over-represented.

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ArmAs, Kangun & Rkatsiteli [W], Aragatsotn 2015 -/84

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Tushpa, Haghtanak, Ararat Valley 2015 ~ Heavy, full bodied, dry. Cherries, pepper, and vanilla. Short finish, but rather complex body.

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Tushpa, Haghtanak, Ararat Valley 2016 6,200 +/91

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Tushpa, Haghtanak Reserve, Ararat Valley 2014 10,200 +/90 Full, reminiscent of Armas Kamrahyut Reserve, but not as complex. Black plum, cassis, dark chocolate. Nice body, but lacks complexity in the finish

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Tushpa, White, Arrat Valley 2017 .

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Karas, Areni - Khndoghni, Armavir 2016 ~ Medium, but very tannic. Cassis and blackberries on palate. Walnuts and plums on the finish. But there is some bitterness in the very end of the finish which does not completely belong there.

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Karas, Syrah+Malbec+Petit Verdot+Tanat+Montepulciano, Armavir 2015 ./85 Strong blackberies on the nose and palate, but not much else. Rather dull.

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Karas, Armavir 2016 ~ OKeyish dinner wine, significantly better than 2015

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Karas, White, 2016 ~ Kiwi and melon on the nose. Kiwi, white currant, gooseberry on the palate. Long mineral finish with lime zest.

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Qotot, Areni, Areni 2015 5,600 + Classic Areni, very good despite the year

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Qotot, Areni, Areni 2016 .+ Disappointment. Still heavy, but lacks some dimension. Dark fruits, but hard to distinugish specific berries.

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Voskevaz, Nuraz (Haghtanak, Kakhet), Aragatsotn 2017 ~ Spicies, earth, a bit of dark beries. Tannic, full.

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Voskevaz, Areni, Aragatsotn 2017 ~ On a lighter side of Areni range. Light to medium. Pomergranate, lingonberry, sour cherries. Needs air.

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Voskevaz, White, 2017 -

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Takar, Areni ./87

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Takar, Areni + Saperavi Reserve, 2014 . Simple and Spicy

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Takar, Kangun [W], Aragatsotn 2015 ~/89

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Van Ardi, Syrah Reserve, Aragatsotn (Sasunik) 2013 ~

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Van Ardi, Syrah Reserve, Aragatsotn (Sasunik) 2015 ~

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Van Ardi, Syrah, Aragatsotn (Sasunik) 2015 ./88 Medium-bodied with dark furits and a bit of pommergranate in aftertaste. Easy going table wine. Needs 1h breathing.

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Tovmasian, Vankasar, Artsakh (Karamort) 2015 +./90 Quite complex and full bodied wine with cheries and long bitter aftertaste. Well balanced.

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Tovmasian, Vankasar [W], Artsakh (Karamort) 2015 .-/84 Balanced. Sour in the beginning with slight bitter finish. Simple and needs time for finish to appear,

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Tariri, Areni+Merlot+Cab, Aragatsotn (Sasunik) 2014 12,000 ./87 Nothing to remember, do not buy.

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Tariri, Areni+Merlot+Cab, Aragatsotn (Sasunik) 2015 12,000 ./86 Medium, rather short finish. Cheries, cassis, cinamon. A bit chocolat on the nose. Quite simple.

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Gevorkian, Ariats Ripasso, 2016 . Not our style, figes

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Z'art, Dry Red, 2017 ~

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Alluria, Red, 2015 ./88

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Garoun, Akhtanak, 2017 ./86 Jam of blackberries and raspberries, but not sweet at all. Unusual, but very simple.

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Aparteny, Karmrashat, 2015 ./85

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Proshyan, Cab + Tigrani Reserve, Aragatsotn 2014 3,000 - Smells and tastes like cheap portwein

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Noyan Tapan, Red -

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PKZ, Vinno Red Dry, 2017 -

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Northern Terroir, Tus Dry White, Tavush 2017 ~

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Matevosyan, Kharji (Voskehat), Vayots Dzor 2017 - Herbal

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Armenia (Best wineries) Years: 2014 (good), 2015 (bad), 2016 (mid), 2017 (mid+), 2018 (mostly bad),

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First Decade (2010 - 2019) 2012 2013 2014 x5/x0 x6/x1 x7/x2 x8/x3 x9/x4 Price Range

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Domain Avetisyan, Kataro Reserve (Khndoghni), Artsakh (Togh) 2014 - 2015 !!/93 +/90 8,500 - 10,200 Full bodied. Cherries, blackberies, a bit of pomergranate. Tannic. In 2015 some dimmension was missing and non-reserva seemed better option.

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Domain Avetisyan, Kataro (Khndoghni), Artsakh (Togh) 2015-2018 +++/91 +/92 + ~+~+!! 4,500 - 6,000 Medium bodied wine with the mix of pomergranate and red currant on the nose. A bit simple, but very well balanced and goes well with food.

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2015 - ok, 2016/2017 - more full and tannic than 2015, needs air. 2018 - lighter and with less character (Pommergranate, cassis, cherries, but somehow faint).

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Takri, Reserve (Khndoghni), Artsakh (Jabrayil) 2014 !!! 9,400

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Takri, Khndoghni, Artsakh (Jabrayil) ? +~/89 Nice, but not quite there. Balanced, easy going, but not that complex. Medium bodied, medium finish. Plums, cherries, blackberries.

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Safarian Vineyards, Aran Reserve, Artsakh (Askeran) 2018 !/94

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Sarafian Vineyards, Aran (Sireni), Artsakh (Askeran) 2018 +!!!/92 4,000 Full, 3h! Pretty much in direction of good Kataro.

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Alluria, Grand Reserve Dark (Kamrahyut), Ararat 2016 !!/96 15,000*2 2h! Full, thick, oily, velvety, complex, long. Earthy notes, chalk, cherry tree, nutmeg, walnut, black plum, black cherries. Finish: prunes, sour cherries, dark chocolate, nutmeg, leather.

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Alluria, The Special Reserve (Khindoghni), Ararat 2018 !/94 2h! Full, heavy, tannic, long. Prunes, cassis, blackberries, walnuts, earthy notes.

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Alluria, The Special #3 (Hakhtanak, Karmrahyut, Khndoghni), Ararat 2019 +/90 3h! Med+, oily, moderately complex. Both grapes are clearly expressed. Tincture of cherries, jam of cassis, red currant, wild blackberries. Fig, fallen leaves, and too much of wood (smoothen with decantation).

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Alluria, Red, Ararat 2015, 2019 ~/88 ~/89 3h! Complex but also unbalanced and rough with hints of portwein. Lots of grape seeds and skins. Behind notes of sour cherries, cassis, nuts, mahleb.

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Jraghatspanyan, Reserve (Kamrahyut + Tigrani), Armavir 2017 !/94 Med+, delicate, complex. About the forest: earthy notes, forest undergrowth, forest berries.

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Jraghatspanyan, Red (Kamrahyut + Tigrani), Armavir 2017 - 2018 !/93 + Med+, dry, silky, aromatic, tannic, complex, 2h. Red plums, sour cherries. Fallen leaves, black raisins. Red currant, oriental spices (cloves, rose petals). Flavours from Kamrahyut and structure of Tigrani.

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2018: More herbal (Sour cherries, rosehips, rose petals, bergamot, lemon grass. Jasmin and lemon zest)

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Galar, Haghtanak Reserve, Armavir 2019 ~+/89 5,900 Med, complex, long. Sour cherries, blackberries, yellow plums, physalis, fallen leaves, smoke, pomergranate skins.

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Tushpa, Haghtanak Reserve, Ararat Valley 2014 +/90 10,200 Full, reminiscent of Armas Kamrahyut Reserve, but not as complex. Black plum, cassis, dark chocolate. Nice body, but lacks complexity in the finish

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Tushpa, Haghtanak, Ararat Valley 2015 - 2017 ~ ++/91 +/92 6,200 Heavy, full bodied, dry. Sour cherries, prunes, pepper, and vanilla. Short finish, but rather complex body.

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Gregorian, Yev, Armavir 2019 +/89 3,900 Med, tanic, mid-long. Nice expression of Haghtanak: sour cheries, fig, prunes, lots of leather. Good QPR, but Tushpa is way better.

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2017 is good year, fuller than 2016 and almost like Armas Karmrahyut Reserve (Full & tanic with dominating prunes and sour cherries)

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ArmAs, Areni Reserve, Aragatsotn 2012 ~/89 Good areni but no body from Reserva. Med+, acid, medium length. Sour cherries, cassis, pomergranate, fallen leaves, apricot seeds. Fallen leaves a bit over-represented.

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ArmAs, Karmrahyut, Aragatsotn 2014 ~/89 Med+, dark purple, chewy. This grape should be drinken as reserva. Herbal (roses, basil), hints of black fruits. Rowan berries, walnuts, cloves, fallen leaves.

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ArmAs, Karmrahyut Reserve, Aragatsotn 2013 !!!/94 Full, tannic, very dry, elegant, and complex (2h!). Prunes, sour cherries, aronia, grape seeds, subtle spices.

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Trinity Canyon, Syrah, Areni 2019 ~/88 Rather classic syrah, but doesn't work alone....

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Trinity Canyon, Jazz (Areni,Kakhet,Cab,Merlot), Areni 2016 - 2018 !/93 + ./85 3,900 - 5,300 Light+, high acidity, mid+ finish. Often velvety, but not too complex. Don't decant too long. In some way similar to Savoie Gamay (particularly 2017). Pomergranate, sour cherries, cassis.

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2016 (50%,-,45%,5%), 2017 (10%,65%,25%,-), 2018 (?%,-,-,?%) 2016 - High on tannins, full bodied, velvety, with multilayer lingering finish, 2017 - Savoie style, 2018 - More herbaceous.

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Trinity Canyon, Crossroads Areni - Cabernet, Areni 2017 - 2018 !!!/95 ! Medium to heavy, pretty tannic, complex, and long. Compote of dark fruits: fig, sour cheries, blackberies. Very long and dry finish: sour cheries, blackberies, earthness, spices. The legs like in brandy.

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2018 is not yet open in Mar 2021.

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Trinity Canyon, Crossroads Areni - Syrah, Areni 2017 - 2018 ~/89 +!~/92 +/90 Complex, heavy, and tannic like 2017 Cabernet variant, but 2017 Syrah has excessive bitterness spoiling the wine balance. 2019 rather thin and somewhat smokey (don't decant).

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2017 (Blackberries, cassis, physalis, grapefruit), 2018 (Red prunes, sour cherries, hints of pomergranate, leather/earth. Pomergranate skins, oak notes, and bitter chocolate), 2019 (thin body, complex finish with leather, mashrooms, charcoal, cornelian cherry).

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Trinity Canyon, Areni Ancestors, Areni 2018 ~/88 Med-, youngish, short. Too thin (but very different to Georgian qvevri and may work with later vintages). Sour cherries, pomergranate, dogberry.

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Trinity Canyon, EH Red, Areni 2015,2017-2018 + !!!/94 ~/88 13,000 - 8,900 Medium and probably one of a more complex pure Areni wines out of there (2015 lacked complexity)...

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Trinity Canyon, 6100 Red, Areni 2017-2018 + +/90 Med+, tannic, jammy, long (but not that interesting). Pommergranate, raspberries, sour cherries (lingoberry in 2017). Ends: leather, earth (2017) / a bit of paper & vanila (2018)

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Trinity Canyon, Areni, Areni 2016 ~/88 Extremely pommergranaty: in aroma, body, and finish. Also, cheries, cassis, but not much. Velvety, medium bodied, medium finish. Dominated by pommergranates and misses complexity.

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Highland Winery, Koor Reserve (Areni + Sireni), 2014 - 2015 !+!/94 +~/89 13,200 Great aroma, but still a bit too young. Needs lots of air. 2015 was a bad year and seems already past its prime in 2021.

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Highland Winery, Koor (Areni + Sireni), 2015 - 2018 +++/92 +!+ ++/92 ~/88-89 5,400 2018 has less body and complexity....

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Qotot, Areni, Areni 2015 - 2016, 2018 + .+ +/90 5,600 Heavier Areni with velvety tanins, sour cherries (and more dark fruits than pomergranate). 2015 was very good, 2016 - disappointment (still heavy, but lacking dimension), 2018 (hints of pomergranate and finish with leather and spices)

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Zulal, Sireni Reseve, 2015 +/92 10,100 2-3h! Ful-, long. Lighter than heavy khndoghni, but nicely composed. Cassis, blackberries, prunes, hints of pomergranate. Finish full of forrest: forest floor, jam of cassis, black gooseberry, dark chocolate.

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Zulal, Areni Reserve, Vayots Dzor 2018 ~/88 Med. Black fruits, nutmeg, chocolate, vanilla. Descent, but non-Reserve is better.

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Zulal, Areni, Vayots Dzor 2018 ++++/90 4,100 Med. Classic areni with sour cherries and pomergranate. Good QPR.

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Zulal, Koghbeni, Tavush (Berdavan) 2017 +/90 2h! Med. Areni-style but with cassis in the body (also sour cherries and pomergranate) and more spices in the finish (spices, nuts, and subtle prunes).

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Zulal, Tozot, Vayots Dzor 2017 ~/89 7,300 Short. Medium body similar to Areni, but different flavours: black raisins, fig, prunes, pomergranate skins, chocolate. Finish is one dimmensional.

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Karas, Armavir 2015 - 2016 ./85 ~ OKeyish table wine. Strong blackberies on the nose and palate, but not much else. 2015 was rather dull, 2016 is better.

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2015 (Syrah + Malbec + Petit Verdot + Tanat + Montepulciano)

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Karas, Areni - Khndoghni, Armavir 2016 ~ Medium, but very tannic. Cassis and blackberries on palate. Walnuts and plums on the finish. But there is some bitterness in the very end of the finish which does not completely belong there.

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Proshyan, Frunzik Areni (Areni, Anchellotta), Aragatsotn 2018 ~/89 Med+. Liqor of forest berries (wild strawberries, raspberries, inkberries, lingonberries), coffee, subtle quince.

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Proshyan, Cab + Tigrani Reserve, Aragatsotn 2014 - 3,000 Smells and tastes like cheap portwein

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Old Bridge, Reserve Areni, Areni 2014, 2018 -/81 ./86 More spices than wine. Spices disappear with decantenation leaving nothing.

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Second Quintet (2020 - 2024) x5/x0 x6/x1 x7/x2 x8/x3 x9/x4 Price Range

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White, Best wineries

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First Decade (2010 - 2019) x5/x0 x6/x1 x7/x2 x8/x3 x9/x4 Price Range

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Domain Avetisyan, Kataro White, Artsakh (Togh) 2018 ./85

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2018 (Kangun 75%, Voskehat 20%, Katun Kharji 5%)

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Sarafian Vineyards, Aran Sireni Rose, Artsakh (Askeran) 2018 +/90 White cherries, walnut skins, rose petals, grapefruit skins. Nicely balanced acidity.

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Alluria, The Beauty White, Ararat 2019 ~/87 Like a simpler Grau Burgunder: white currant, melon, pear, minerality (too subtle). Some bitterness in the end.

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Jraghatspanyan, Rose, Armavir 2019 ~/87

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Jraghatspanyan, White, Armavir 2018 ./84

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Tushpa, White, Arrat Valley 2017 .

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ArmAs, Kangun & Rkatsiteli [W], Aragatsotn 2015 -/84

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Trinity Canyon, Voskehat Ancestors, Areni 2018 - 2019 +/92 +/91 Orange wine (just bellow room temperature + 30m breathing). High minerality, above average acidity, rather full and oily. Compote of dried fruits, with cinnamon: orange confiture, sour mandarins, cherry plums, dried appricots, apples.

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Trinity Canyon, Jazz White (Areni & Chardonay), Areni 2018 ~ Too much of the Chardonay in the taste. High acidity, a bit too herbal towards the end.

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Trinity Canyon, Crossroads (Voskehat - Chardonay), Areni 2019 ~/88 Chardonay smoothes Voskehat, but its classical taste is still there. Otherwise passion fruit, white currant, lime zest, minerality.

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Trinity Canyon, Qrdi, Areni 2019 ~/87

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Trinity Canyon, 6100 White, Areni 2018 ~/87 Quince followed by nice acidic notes. Finishes with herbs and hints of minerality.

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Trinity Canyon, Eh White, Areni 2016 + Mineral, refreshing. High acidity, long, well balanced. White currant, lime, lime zest. Almost NZ, but misses complexity of grapefruit.

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Koor, White, Areni 2016 +./89 ~~/88 Melon, pear, dates, tarragon, minerality. 2015 was good in direction of NZ SB, but 2016 got sweeter and lost finish.

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Qotot, Rose, Areni 2017 ~/87 Juice of blood oranges and some cedra

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Zulal, Areni Rose, Vayots Dzor 2018 +/90 Summer wine. Pineapple, passion fruit, bananas (not sweet).

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Zulal, Skin Macerated Voskehat, Vayots Dzor 2018 ~/88 Orange. Good nose of summer fruits, but bland body with minerality and some bitterness.

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Zulal, Chilar, Vayots Dzor 2018 +/90 7,300 30m! Reminiscent of NZ SB. Relatively complex. Pear, white currant, gooseberry, quince, italian basil, subtle minerality.

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Noa, Arkuri Noah, Areni 2019 +/91 Reminiscent of Grau Burgunder. Balanced acidity with passion fruit, pineapple, melon, lots of minerality. Finish: holy basil and lemon zest.

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Karas, White, 2016 ~ Kiwi and melon on the nose. Kiwi, white currant, gooseberry on the palate. Long mineral finish with lime zest.

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Proshyan, Kamar Areni Rose, 2019 ~/89 Strawberry compote with high minerality (dry, simple).

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Proshyan, Frunzik Voskehat, 2019 ~/88

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Second Quintet (2020 - 2024) x5/x0 x6/x1 x7/x2 x8/x3 x9/x4 Price Range

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Alluria, The Rose, Ararat 2020 !/93 Med+, dense, complex, long. Forest berries: cranberries, red currant, red plum, wild strawberries, red grapefruit, unrippen blackberries. Ginger, spices, florals.

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Armas, Rose, Aragatsotn 2020 ~/88 Cranberries, carrot juice. Tabacco, fallen leaves, honey.

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Trinity Canyon, 6100 Rose, Areni 2020 +/90 White currant, white mullberry, citrus, cherry plum, herbs.

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Armenia (Major Wineries)

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Zorah, Heritage (Khnodghni, Ararati/white), Vayots Dzor ? 29,000 !/93 2h! Med+, oily, complex. Paprika fume, blackberries, prunes, raisins, mushrooms, fallen leaves, italian basil, vanilla, smoked aubergines.

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Yacoubian-Hobs, Areni, Vayots Dzor 2014 +/90 30m! Overpriced, but a good and very well composed Areni with fruits and spices: cassis, blackberries, black plums, fig, cinnamon, vanilla.

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Armenia, Tariri (Areni+Merlot+Cab), Aragatsotn (Sasunik) 2014 - 2015 12,000 ../86 Nothing to remember. Medium, rather short finish. Cheries, cassis, cinamon. A bit chocolat on the nose. Quite simple.

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Armenia, Takar Areni ./87

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Armenia, Takar Areni + Saperavi Reserve, 2014 . Simple and Spicy

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Armenia, Takar Ruby Port, Aragatsotn ~ Descent if very sweet Ruby.

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Armenia, Takar Kangun, Aragatsotn 2015 ~/89

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Maran, Malahi Areni Blend (Areni,Khndoghni,Malbec), Areni 2018 ~/87 med, tannic but not as strong as Kataro & Takri.

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Maran, Noravank, 2019 ~/87

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Maran, Bagratuni Reserve (Areni), Areni ./87 Well-balanced wine with dominating pomergranates. Needs 30 minutes to open.

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Maran, Malishka Reserve, Areni (Malishka) 2012 ~

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Ijevan, Sapor Rose, Tavush 2020 ~/89 Grapefruit and red currant. Lemony aftertaste.

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Ijevan, Mkhitar Gosh, Tavush ? ~/87 Typical voskehat. Pears & bitterness.

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Noa, Arkuri, Arenii 2018 ~/87 Way too much raisins. Some black cherries and subtle cassis.

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Voskevaz, Nuraz (Haghtanak, Kakhet), Aragatsotn 2017 ~ Spicies, earth, a bit of dark beries. Tannic, full.

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Voskevaz, Areni, Aragatsotn 2017 ~ On a lighter side of Areni range. Light to medium. Pomergranate, lingonberry, sour cherries. Needs air.

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Voskevaz, Rose, Aragatsotn ? ~/87

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Voskevaz, White, Aragatsotn 2017 --

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Gevorkian, Garoun, Haghtanak, 2017 ./86 Jam of blackberries and raspberries, but not sweet at all. Unusual, but very simple.

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Gevorkian, Garoun Kakhet Rose, 2019 ./84

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Gevorkian, Ariats Muscateni, 2019 ~/89 Too much Muscat for Evelina, but ok for me

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Gevorkian, Ariats Ripasso, 2016 . Not our style, figes

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Van Ardi, Syrah Reserve, Aragatsotn (Sasunik) 2013, 2015 ~ ~

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Van Ardi, Syrah, Aragatsotn (Sasunik) 2015 ./88 Medium-bodied with dark furits and a bit of pommergranate in aftertaste. Easy going table wine. Needs 1h breathing.

152

153

Gamila, Crow's Rock Areni, Areni 2019 ~/88 Med. Sour cherries, blackberries. Finis: grape pulp & spices.

154

Gamila, Crow's Rock Zilwaaa, Ararat 2020 ~/88 Sour cherries and spices.

155

156

Orran, Areni - Malbec, Aragatsotn 2020 ~/87 Rose petals, subtle cassis, spices.

157

Orran, Kangun - Viognier, Aragatsotn ? +/90 Minerality, gooseberry, white currant.

158

159

Hovaz, Areni, Areni 2019 5,300 ~/88 Med. Sour and sweet cherries, doshab, chocolate, pepper. Perfectly balanced and borring.

160

Hovaz, Areni Rose, Vayots Dzor 2019 ~/88 Rather simple. Raspberries, yellow sour plums, peach with the skin, gooseberry, minerality, lots of herbal notes.

161

162

Khaluli, Rose, Vayots Dzor 2020 ./84 Barbaris. Lots of it.

163

Khaluli, White, Vayots Dzor 2020 ./84

164

Zara Wines, Haghtanak, ? ./84

165

Zara Wines, Reserve Areni, ? ./84

166

Hndzan, Kakhet - Karmrahyut, Ararat/Areni 2019 ./84

167

Hndzan, Kharji - Khatuni, Vayots Dzor 2019 ~

168

169

Areni

170

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171

Oshin, Reserve Areni, Areni 2018 ~/89 Almost full, complex body, subpar finish. Leather, black plums, blackberries, black cherries. Finish: mustard and vanilla.

172

Gomidas Merjanian, Dzon (Areni), Areni 2019 6,400 ~/89 Med. Simple and honest Areni. Red fruits and some spices in the finish.

173

Toonk, Areni, Arenia 2019 ~/89 Med. Juicy, but missing a dimension. Sour cherries and blackberries. Finish: gelato of blackberries.

174

Papazian Vineyards, Moukh (Areni), Areni 2017 5,600 ~/88 Med. A wine from Areni highway :)

175

Rikars, Davit Areni Noir, 2017 5,400 ~/88 Med areni with sour cherries and hints of pommergranate. Nothing wrong, but not remarkable either.

176

Azaria, Areni, Ararat 2019 4,700 ~/87 Well hidden behind the barel (Feb 2021), but worth revisiting in 2023.

177

Cascade, Areni, Areni ./87 Light and round with pronounced pomergranate and other red fruits. Not really special.

178

Getnatoun, Aghavnadzor Areni, Areni 2015 ./84 Rather sweet

179

Voskeni, Areni Dry, Areni 2016 .

180

181

Armenia (rest)

182

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183

Zebel, Pinot Noir, 2014 +/90 Kind of nice, but also probably not justified to drink in Armenia :)

184

Givany, Reserve (Kakhet, Haghtanak), Ararat 2016 ~/89 Sour cherries and blackberries in body overpowered with barrel'ish after-taste.

185

Wine Works, Nare (Malbec, Sireni, Syrah), Armavir 2017 ~/88 Med, short. Blueberries + notes of black plums and chocolate. Some spices.

186

WineArt (Garush Samvelyan), Sutak (Karmrahyut + Haghtanak), 2019 5,400 ~/87 Med, soft. Jam of black currant. Finish: raisins, dried fruits, spices. Simple, but descent.

187

Z'art, Dry Red, 2017 ~

188

Aparteny, Karmrashat, 2015 ./85

189

Noyan Tapan, Red -

190

PKZ, Vinno Red Dry, 2017 -

191

192

Armenia/Rose & White

193

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194

Sargis Yazdjian, Lousnak, 2019 ~/88 Minerality, sweet pear, quince. Rose petals (too strong)

195

Tus, Snlu Dry White (Lalvari), Tavush 2017 - 2018 ~~/87 Summer wine with strong acidity. Gooseberry, green apples, orange marmelade, lemon zest, hints of minerality. Underwhelming finish.

196

Atlanyan, Reserve White, 2019 ~/87

197

Martiros, Suavignon Blanc, ? ~

198

199

Hin Areni, Voskehat, 2016 .

200

Matevosyan, Kharji (Voskehat), Vayots Dzor 2017 - Herbal

92

201

93

202

Karabagh

94

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95

Arba, Reserve Khndoghni, Artsakh 2014 +/89 Medium bodied. Dried fruits on the nose, black fruits and leather on the palate. Long, slightly bitter aftertaste. Overall, lighter and less fruity than typical khndoghni, but still good.

96

Melson Sarkisyan, Nuart Aznuni (Khndoghni), Artsakh 2014 3,000 +/89 Well balanced medium bodied wine with red fruits.

97

Karat, Arevis Red Dry ~

98

Domain Shakhramanyan, Tigranakert Red, Artsakh 2015 ./87

99

Apris, Sireni N3, Artsakh 2018 ./86 med, but seems 2018 is problematic overall.

100

Berdashen, Khndoghni, ... -

101

102

Areni

103

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104

Voskeni, Areni Dry, Areni 2016 .

105

Malahi, Areni Blend (Areni,Khndoghni,Malbec), Areni 2018 ~/87 med, tannic but not as strong as Kataro & Takri.

106

Maran, Malishka Reserve, Areni (Malishka) 2012 ~

107

Maran, Bagratuni Reserve (Areni), Areni ./87 Well-balanced wine with dominating pomergranates. Needs 30 minutes to open.

108

Cascade, Areni, Areni ./87 Light and round with pronounced pomergranate and other red fruits. Not really special.

109

Getnatoun, Aghavnadzor Areni, Areni 2015 ./84 Rather sweet

110

Old Bridge, Reserve, Areni 2014 -/81

111

Hin Areni, Voskehat, 2016 .

112

113

Georgia

114

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115

Khareba, Saperavi, Kakheti 2014 .

116

Khareba, Monastery Qvevri Otskhanuri Sapere, Khaketi 2012 ~ Woody, earthy, tanic. Black fruits.

117

Khareba, Monastery Qvevri Krakhuna (White), Khakheti 2015 ~ Quince, not our taste

118

Khareba, Krakhuna (White), Khakheti 2015 ~

119

120

Teliani Valley, Tsinandali in Oak, Kakheti 2016 ~

121

122

Cradle of Wines, Alex's Field Blend, 2017 + Tanic, well balanced. Cherries, pomegranate, raspberries. Quite dry.

123

Cradle of Wines, Qvevri Rkatseteli, 2013 . Quince, spices

124

Cradle of Wines, A. Saperavi (ASAP), 2017 !?

125

126

Askaneli, Mukuzani, Khakheti 2014 ~ Med, soft tanins, med finish. Charcoal, sour cheries, rose petals, oregano.

127

128

Matrobela Wines, Saperavi, Khakheti 2015 ~

129

Matrobela Wines, Rkatsiteli, 2016 -

130

131

Old Cellar, Mukuzani, Kakheti 2015 + Well balanced. Nice tannins in combination with red fruits and well integrated vanilla. Beautiful bitterness in aftertaste.

132

Vellino, Saperavi, Kakheti 2016 . Unbalanced. A lot of bitterness, a bit of fruits, but nothing else.

133

Schuchmann, Mukuzani, Kakheti 2016 .

134

135

Lomtadze, Aleksandrouli (Qvevri), 2016 ~ More balanced variant of Qvevri wines.

136

b'\\ No newline at end of file'

203

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204

Tovmasian, Vankasar, Artsakh (Karamort) 2015 +./90 Quite complex and full bodied wine with cheries and long bitter aftertaste. Well balanced.

205

Tovmasian, Vankasar [W], Artsakh (Karamort) 2015 .-/84 Balanced. Sour in the beginning with slight bitter finish. Simple and needs time for finish to appear,

206

Arba, Reserve Khndoghni, Artsakh 2014 +/89 Medium bodied. Dried fruits on the nose, black fruits and leather on the palate. Long, slightly bitter aftertaste. Overall, lighter and less fruity than typical khndoghni, but still good.

207

Melson Sarkisyan, Nuart Aznuni (Khndoghni), Artsakh 2014 3,000 +/89 Well balanced medium bodied wine with red fruits.

208

Karat, Arevis Red Dry ~

209

Domain Shakhramanyan, Tigranakert Red, Artsakh 2015 ./87

210

Apris, Sireni N3, Artsakh 2018 ./86 med, but seems 2018 is problematic overall.

211

Berdashen, Khndoghni, ... -