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

Paul Secombe

9.2

Having had a few of these over the years I can safely say it’s improving. Dark berries across the front palate which opens to peppers and mint at the back. Superb as an accompaniment to medium rare steak. An indulgent Sunday afternoon lunch — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Very pale lemon in colour. Funky solids aromas / intoxicating. Lots of winemaking on show here. Great intensity - taut and lean almost quivering with pentup energy. On palate grapefruit, lime and touch of pineapple. Lots of citric acid. Certainly a different animal to Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay which is full luscious peaches and cream. This wine from Penfolds won the 2016 James Halliday Chardonnay Challenge from 630 entries. Penfolds Winemakers for years have been concentrating on making their top white wines to the same standards as their famous reds and with this Chardonnay it is clear they are on the way to achieving this. — 7 years ago

Alessandro Dalle Carbonare

9.5

Absolutely beautiful nose, Complex and rich. Felling such a burgundy Mersault style but missing that length in the palate you'd normally expect.. — 9 years ago

jerry

9.3

Superb full bodied wine great with steak — 9 years ago

Scott Rowe

9.2

Here is one to lay down for a while.
Also great now but for $40 why wouldn't you wait and be rewarded? — 9 years ago

Turd Ferguson

9.4

Leesy. Needs 3-10 years in the cellar — 6 months ago

Sandra

9.4

Crisp a bit fruity, light and good aftertaste — 2 years ago

Jalyn Warren

9.0

Tastes more like a Chardonnay — 3 years ago

Joseph Barsky

9.3

2002 Vintage. Tannins finally settling down. Good fruit. Better second night so decant or cellar more. — 5 years ago

Simon Weston

9.2

Delicious fruit nose and sweet tropical fruit taste with molasses, long smooth fiery finish. — 8 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Spicy Aromas with Cherry Sappiness and Earthy notes with a little savoury funk. Great intensity and length. Very well made in a brilliant terroir for this variety - on this occasion in the Adelaide Hills. As Richard Hemming MW an Englishman said “this is a Burgundy Slayer”! Tasted 57 weeks later with consistent notes - a Pinot more on the fuller side. Very easy to drink. — 9 years ago

Behrang Assemi

9.0

Fruity, smooth wine — 9 years ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.2

Cali Cab Grand Cru — 10 months ago

Liam Elder

9.2

Blackberry, fruity, easy to sip and drink.. Very pleasant — 2 years ago

Scott Graflund

9.3

Second bottle after Bin 389. I like this one more. Beth liked Bin 389 more. This felt smooth but powerful relative to Bin 389. — 5 years ago

Alton Komori

9.4

2014 - With aeration, luscious tight dark mountain fruit bouquet, great body, long smooth finish; even better after breathing for an hour; better to have decanted; solid! — 6 years ago

Simon Gilligan

9.5

Ripe, big but savoury with great length and fine sweet tannin that seems to come from nowhere. Black and red fruited, complex. Would never have picked it as an Adelaide hills shiraz. Many thanks Seth and Magda! — 8 years ago

Scott Rowe

9.2

A big Shiraz in comparison to other Adelaide Hills examples.
Going strong 5 years on.
A ruby hue and salty kick.
Killer wine for spaghetti and meatballs — 9 years ago

with Jade

Alexandre Hamel-Petit

9.0

Souper chez mom avec perchaude! Excellent accord! — 9 years ago