2017 Karas, Armenia, Amavir, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$14.00USD

This is a blend of 35% Syrah, 35% Cot (Malbec), 20% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Tannat.  This is a bit thinner and less ripe than the 2014 (a different blend).  Ruby in color, darker at the core, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries with some pomegranate.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, cherries with some spice.  Good acidity.  The finish is a bit clipped.  Drink over the next three to five years.  This will work well with pasta with a red meat based sauce.  

2015 Karas Reserve, Armenia, Amavir, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$28.00USD

This is a blend of 40% Montepulciano, 25% Cabernet Franc, 20% Syrah, and 15% Malbec.  The word Reserve implies a better blend then the regular release (and higher priced) although there is no official rule.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is earthy with cassis, tobacco and black cherries.  Medium bodied with bright acidity.  On the palate, nice cassis and black cherry fruit with underlying dry earthiness.  Nice finish.  Complex.  This seems like it is not a full maturity with light tannins remaining.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  It will work well with pork, meats

2014 Karas Dry Red Wine, Armenia, Armavir, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

This is a blend of 40% Syrah, 18% Tannat, 15% Cabernet Franc, 14% Petit Verdot, 10% Montepulciano and 3% Khndoghni, made in Armenia.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose is dusty with cherries.  On the palate, this has nice black cherry fruit.  There is a nice complexity with a good finish.  This seems to be at prime or slightly past but drinking well.  Drink over the next couple of years.  It would work well with a burger or pizza.  It was around $14 on release so a great value.  

2018 Zorah Voski, Armenia, Vyots Dzor, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

This is a white wine that is a blend of Voskeat and Garandmak grape,  two ancient Armenian varietals.  It is an outstanding wine.  Green/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is full of minerality with some white floral notes.  Medium bodied.  This is a vibrant wine.  On the palate, crisp acidity, with minerals and slight lime notes.  Long finish.  Delicious.  This drinks great on its own but will be better with cheese.  Salmon or tuna steaks would work well.  Drink over the next three to five years.  

2017 Oshin Voskehat, Armenia, Vyats Dzor, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

This is a wine made from the Voskehat grape, that tasted blind, might easily be pegged for California Chardonnay.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has a nice minerality but also plenty of oak (Caucasian Oak) that gives is color and spice.  With air some peach comes out as well.  Medium bodied with a nice oily texture.  On the palate, there is some tangerine and an interesting wheat quality.  Some lemon on the finish that is slightly astringent.  This took about 30 minutes to open and then opened nicely.  It is a big wine with a fair amount of oak.  It drinks well on its own and

2018 Donnafugata Passito di Pantelleria Ben Ryé, Italy, Sicily, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This is a desert wine from an island just off the coast of Tunisia, Africa, but belonging to Sicily.  There are strong winds and the grapes lose their moisture and raisin on the vine.  It is made from the Zimbibbo grape which is also known as Muscat of Alexandria.  It has an amber iced tea color, clear and bright.  The nose is amazing with apricots, orange peel, dried pineapple, and wild sage.  Full bodied and viscous.  On the palate, apricots, dried apricots, and orange rind with enough acidity to balance the sweetness.  Long finish.  Delicious and interesting.  This will likely last for d

2019 Di Giovanna Nerello Mascalese Vurria, Italy, Sicily, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is 100% Nerello Mascalese from vineyards in Sicily that are 1,600 feet in altitude.  Purple in color, with some ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with smoke, cherries, and black pepper.  Medium to full bodied.  Although there are firm tannins, this has an inviting soft texture.  Good acidity.  The palate has cherries, black cherries over a char.  Very concentrated.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now and should continue for another ten to fifteen years.  It will work better with food such as sword fish served as Involtini di pesce spade.  

2018 Valle dell'Acate Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico, Italy, Sicily, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is 60% Nero d'Avola and 40% Frappato from Sicily.  Purple in color with ruby hues, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, smoke and slight mint note.  Medium bodied with medium tannins.  Good acidity.  The wine is interesting with cherries, black cherries with a dark, earthy loam note underneath.  Good finish.  This is drinking well but will mature a bit.  It will provide good drinking for the next eight to twelve years.  Although it is nice on its own, it will work better at the dinner table.  It will work well with game but also Busiate al pesto Trapanese fo

2019 Planeta Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, Italy, Sicily, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This is a 60/40 blend of Nero D'Avola and Frappato.  The Nero D'avolo is from two different vineyards.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is very nice; earthy with cherries and smoke.  This has a wonderful silky texture.  Medium tannins.  A strong backbone of acidity.  Very deep with tight complexity that should unwind over the next eight to twelve years.  Plenty of cherries with some black cherry fruit.  Long finish.  This is nice on its own but will shine with food.  Pasta con le sarde would be an excellent match but it would also work well with a mushroom pizza

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