Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Bagratuni Blanc Reserve – 2022
Vayots Dzor – Armenia 🇦🇲

Overview
Blend: 70% Voskehat, 30% Khatun Kharji. Indigenous Armenian grapes grown in the high-altitude vineyards of Vayots Dzor. Aged for 6 months in Artsakh oak, giving the wine a uniquely regional identity.

Aromas & Flavors
An expressive white that immediately shows character. Notes of ripe pear, quince, and citrus peel mingle with almond and a subtle honeyed accent. The Artsakh oak adds a whisper of spice and texture without overpowering the fruit. Medium-bodied, fresh yet layered, with a long, mineral-inflected finish that leaves a lasting impression.

Mouthfeel
Smooth entry with a firm backbone, slightly waxy texture, and balanced acidity. The oak aging brings depth and roundness while preserving freshness.

Food Pairing
Pairs beautifully with aged cheeses, roasted poultry, grilled trout, or more adventurous pairings like herb-driven Mediterranean cuisine.

Verdict
A serious and distinctive white for wine adventurers. The Artsakh oak aging sets it apart from typical whites, showcasing the depth of Armenia’s indigenous grapes. A bottle that both educates and surprises. Cheers!

Did you know?
Voskehat is often called the “Queen of Armenian Grapes,” prized for its age-worthy potential. Khatun Kharji, a rarer variety, brings aromatic lift and texture to the blend. — 5 months ago

Max Bozoghlian

Owner/Wine Director Carlito's Gardel

9.0

This is a White Blend — 10 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Noravank Blanc – 2023
Vayots Dzor – Armenia 🇦🇲

Overview
Crafted from a blend of indigenous Kangun, Khatun Kharji, and Aligoté grapes grown in the high-altitude vineyards of Vayots Dzor, this wine showcases the unique expression of Armenia’s mountainous terroir. The elevation and rocky soils bring both aromatic intensity and vibrant freshness.

Aromas & Flavors
Stone fruits lead the way, with peach and apricot layered alongside subtle citrus zest. There’s an underlying floral lift and a faint mineral edge that speaks to its high-altitude origins.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with a noticeable texture and lively tension. The acidity keeps it crisp, while the finish lingers with a clean, slightly savory note.

Food Pairings
Pairs beautifully with Mediterranean mezze, grilled fish, roasted vegetables, and salty cheeses like feta or halloumi.

Verdict
A harmonious and expressive Armenian white — distinctive, textured, and aromatic. A real discovery for those exploring indigenous grapes.

Did You Know?
The rare Khatun Kharji grape is unique to Armenia and seldom found outside the Vayots Dzor region. Blending it with Kangun and Aligoté reflects both heritage and experimentation, offering a modern take on Armenia’s ancient winemaking roots. — 5 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

8.9

2018 vintage. Historical producer tracing back to the beginning of the 19th century. 100% Areni Noir from the Vayots Dzor region from 40 years old vines at 1300 - 1400 m. Calcareous and volcanic soils. Aged 6 months in used Armenian oak barrels. A very good introduction to the wonderful Areni Noir grape. Brilliant transparent ruby. Attractive nose with pomegranate, red cherries, flowers and a hint of vanilla. Elegant taste with bright red fruit, fresh acidity and a nice ripe tannic bite. Amazing value at about 13 euro. Abv. 14%, but hardly noticed. — 6 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.0

2018 vintage from the new Malahi range of the historical Maran winery. This is a blend from 3 grapes, each from different zones. 50 % Areni Noir (this grape used to be called "Black Mahani" up to 1947, hence the name) from Vayots Dzor, 25% Khndoghni from Artsakh (aka Nagorno-Karabakh), and 25% fruit from young Malbec vines from the Ararat Valley. 6 months in used oak. Deep dark colour. Blackberry fruit and spices in nose and mouth. Nice balance and fine-grained tannic structure. A very good wine, but still I would love to see a high end 100% Areni from this estate, as I believe this wine is a bit too internationally styled to compete with European wines in the same price range (about 24 euros). — 6 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.2

2019 vintage. A new wine from the historical Maran winery (I believe 2018 was the first vintage, but not sure). A blend of local grapes Voskehat and Areni Noir (vinified as a white for this original wine), and Aligoté from the Ararat Valley. Impressive in every respect. Mineral, aromatic, concentrated, profound, perfectly balanced and long. Powerful and elegant at the same time, reminds me of white Hermitage. Abv. 14%. — 6 years ago

Scott Domer

9.0

My friend Justyna brought this Armenian red back from her recent trip to Poland. I've never had wine from Armenia but it's pretty damn nice. Blind taste me, I'd say small artisan producer in Languedoc. — 12 years ago

with Lauren and Justyna