Adam Baker

8.9

Drank with Meddy’s. Good depth of flavor. Red berries, strawberry, but also some spice. Armenian. Good with food. — 16 days ago

with Elissa

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Gevorkian Winery, Makhani Reserve 2019
Armenia 🇦🇲

Overview
A bold red blend of indigenous Armenian grapes — Areni, Haghtanak, Kakhet, and Karmrahyut — crafted using the ancient Kakhani method (three-month grape withering before vinification). This traditional approach, combined with aging in Armenian oak, makes it one of the most unique expressions of Armenia’s resurgent wine culture.

Aromas & Flavors
The nose opens with withered grapes and candied fruits, layered with blackberry jam, prunes, vanilla, and powdered cocoa. The palate continues with rich black fruits, mahogany, and leather, while notes of spice and dark chocolate build depth.

Mouthfeel
Robust, full-bodied, with structured tannins and pleasant acidity. It carries warmth from its high alcohol (16% ABV), bordering on fortified in style. Multilayered and powerful, the wine evolves in the glass but benefits from extended air contact.

Winemaking Notes
Aged 6 months in new Armenian oak, then an additional 18 months in seasoned barrels. This unique use of century-old oak imparts a distinct, rustic backbone. 2019 is drinkable now but will likely show best by 2027.

Food Pairing
Pairs beautifully with fatty steaks, venison, matured cheeses, cream-based desserts, or even high-cocoa dark chocolate (75–85%). Its powerful structure makes it highly versatile for bold gastronomy.

Verdict
A muscular, complex red that captures Armenia’s ancient heritage and modern ambition in winemaking. A true statement wine — unforgettable and worth cellaring. — a year ago

David White

8.9

Nice balance and length
Hoes well with my lamb loin bbq — 8 years ago

Rob Sternthal

9.4

This is young but full of fruit. Delicious. Smooth going down and not overly tannic. For new world drinkers, this is the wine you want. And at less than $130, it’s better than most above that level. Support Napa. Drink wine. — 9 years ago

Natalie Griffin

9.3

Garnet color. 130 year old vine goodness — 11 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Karas Reserve Blend 2016 — Mount Ararat, Armenia 🇦🇲

Overview
A sophisticated Old-World inspired blend grown in the Armavir region at the foothills of Mount Ararat. Aged in Armenian oak. Composition: Syrah 35%, Malbec 35%, Cabernet Franc 20%, Tannat 10%. A wine rooted in one of the world’s most ancient winemaking cultures — 6,200 years in the making.

Aromas & Flavors
Red compote, black plum, dried cherry, subtle baking spice, cedar, and a hint of earthy volcanic dust. Layers unfold slowly with touches of cocoa and dried herbs.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus body, beautifully integrated tannins, silky and rounded. Balanced acidity with mature harmony from bottle age. Structured yet graceful, nothing sharp, everything in sync.

Food Pairings
Lamb kebabs, grilled eggplant, slow-braised short ribs, aged Gouda, or spiced Middle Eastern dishes.

Verdict
Worth the wait. The 2016 vintage shows evolution, composure, and balance. A blend that overdelivers, polished, expressive, and deeply satisfying. A reminder that Armenia is not just historic… it’s seriously compelling in the glass.

Did You Know?
Armenia is considered one of the birthplaces of wine. The Areni-1 cave complex revealed the world’s oldest known winery, dating back over 6,000 years.

🍷 Personal Pick
Holding this bottle paid off. A mature, balanced Armenian blend that danced on the palate and proved patience is sometimes the best decanter.
— 5 months ago

"Odedi"

9.8

#AgedWineTuesday

Dark ruby, almost inky in color, with a short brick rim.

Fruity nose of blackberries, black currants, cooked plums, cherry pie, spices, cedar, vanilla, leather, light earth, pencil lead, peppercorn, coffee, mocha and tobacco leaf.

Full bodied, bold and smooth, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and very fruity on the palate with blackberries, cooked cherries, cedar, licorice, vanilla, leather, black currants, sweet chocolates, coffee, cola, peppercorn and spices.

Long spicy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley (To Kalon Vineyard). Showing great complexity with a great mouthfeel.

Rich, extracted and opulent. Fruit-forward and elegant. A delicious wine. Spicy with a teeth staining color.

This 15 year old from the great 2007 vintage is just beautiful now. Has a lot of years in it still, and will continue to age nicely in the 15 years.

Delicious right out of the bottle, and even better after 3 hours of airtime.

Good by itself as a sipping wine. I just loved it.

16% (!) alcohol by volume.

98 points.

$130. — 4 years ago

Kate Brown

9.1

2014 Vintage Lot 130 — 8 years ago

M&TPetty

9.0

Fruity Chardonnay, delightful. — 9 years ago

Dawn E.

9.1

I think I found a gem at Trader Joe's! Reference other 2024 reviews, delicious, very much so for the price point! Quick stop on trip back from Mason City! Peeps, I am finally a Grandma! — 9 months ago

Ellen Clifford

8.9

There is a punch of pepper—green, black, and pink, and a smooth cocoa finish. Undercurrents of damp clay and pencil circulate through. It is bright and surprisingly light on its toes, and the tannins are smooth and unobtrusively integrated. With time, the nose grows a mocha note, speaking to both the roasty coffee bean notes and the cocoa. — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Had this Year ago. More than 40 years, Ponzi Vineyards set the standard for New World Pinot production with many innovations & techniques. All 130 acres of Ponzi vineyards are certified sustainable. Aromas of rich ripe fruit and osk spice, aged for 20 months on French oak (30% new) with fruit from Ponzi's Aurora, Abetina and Madrona vineyards. On the palate cherry and strawberry flavors with currants, herb and licorice notes. Lingers, well balanced frame ending with spice, cedar & mineral tones. Nice! — 7 years ago

Armine

10

Great taste full hove red fruits and rose petals — 8 years ago

Matt Sterr

9.5

Made exclusively from the oldest Zin parcels in the vineyard. All the fruit in this wine is from vines dating back over 130 years. Cherry 🍒 cola, supple and silky. — 9 years ago