Chase Heibel

9.0

The 2018 Zulal Areni is a testament to the purity of Armenia's indigenous grapes. With a bouquet of red cherries, plums, and a hint of pepper, it offers an aromatic experience. Its medium body is balanced by a refreshing acidity, revealing concentrated flavors of cranberries and spices on the palate. Paired with a mushroom-based chicken pot pie, the wine's vibrant notes complemented the dish phenomenally. 9 captures the delightful experience this wine offers. Would definitely revisit. — a month ago

Neil Blaze

9.2

My first Armenian wine, which is not surprising since this is the only one that seems to be readily available in the US. Medium bodied, with red fruit and floral aromas on the nose. Darker fruit on the palate with some vanilla and spice flavors. Velvety texture. It took a bit to open up, but once it did I couldn't put my glass down. 95% Areni, 5% Tozot. 1/8/23. — a year ago

Vanessa

9.1

Fascinating red blend produced by Mas de Daumas Gassac coming from the St Guilhem-le-Désert – Cité d'Aniane IGP in the Languedoc region of Southern France. 🇫🇷

Mas de Daumas Gassac is known for its unique red glacial soils that are well-draining and rich in mineral oxides (iron, copper, etc.), helping to nourish but also stress (in a good way!) the approx. 42-year-old vines, which can enhance concentration of fruit character. It is also known for its philosophy of respecting the land it farms and honoring the ecosystem of the Gassac Valley. 🌳

When I say fascinating blend, I mean, look at the list of varieties comprising this wine, based upon the winemaker’s tech sheet:
76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 3% Pinot Noir, 2% Malbec, and 4% rare grape varieties, including: Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Montepulciano (Italy), Armigne (Switzerland), Arenie, Areni Noir (Armenia), Bastardo, Souzon (Portugal), Saperavie (Russia), Tchkaveri, Tchekavesi (Georgia), Brancalleo (Galicia), Carmenere, Abouriou (old French grape varieties) and Plavac Mali (Croatia). 🍇🍇🍇

👀This wine has a medium purple hue and noteworthy staining and tearing on the glass.

👃On the nose, it has youthful and robust, primary notes of ripe black fruit, such as black cherry, plum, blackberry bramble, also anise, violet, dried lavender, licorice,
pipe tobacco, also secondary notes of dark chocolate, nutmeg, and cedar. The intensity is medium(+).

👄On the palate, this wine is dry. It has medium(+) acidity, a full body, high alcohol (14.1%), and medium(+) tannins that are supple but very present. The intensity of flavors is medium(+) and more tart than ripe, but otherwise consistent with the nose. The finish is medium(+).

👏👏👏 This wine is delicious and could age for many more years, but even in its youth, it’s delightful, complex, and full of intense dark fruit character.  — 2 years ago

with Deked1

Stuart Pollack

9.0

Nice light Areni wine. Flavorful, enjoyable and different. Good cherry flavor with short finish. — 3 months ago

Colton Haney

9.0

Tart, savory fruit - light body. WHAT a funky nose! Slightly gamey & pungent aroma. — 10 months ago

heidi schlegel

9.5

Dry and delightful! Perfect with an Armenian mezza. — a year ago

Jena Wilson

9.5

One day in Armenia. Lovely dinner at Sherep with Joe paired with this perfect 2018 dry wine. — 2 years ago

TwiLea Fletcher

9.2

05/08/23
Quick like a cat she caught her wine! Pretty sure I did not have this at wine tasting ever but thoroughly enjoyed with a lemon cello tiramisu.  — 7 months ago

with Sandy and April

Danny Owens

9.0

Blackbeard's Camana Bay — 2 years ago

Lauren Golanty

9.0

Loved this! Medium weight, easy drinking red with bright little acid-and-tannic notes, strawberry jam up front, sort of a plum cassis thing in back… delish!! — 2 years ago