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Press & Awards

Awards

Ratings

96

POINTS

Decanter World Wine Awards
Decanter World Wine Awards
– 96 points

Noa Areni 2019

“Gorgeous, perfumed nose of wild cherry, piercing raspberry and black tea, while the silky textured palate is graced with savory, tart fruit and elegant tannins.”

91

POINTS

wine and spirit
– 91 points

Shofer 2020 Areni

Bright, floral acidity and zingy pomegranate flavors combine in this straightforward, enjoyable wine. Directly-pressed, its color is quite pale, somewhere between light red and dark rosé. Easy-drinking and exuberant, it would match the flavors of tacos al pastor.

90

POINTS

wine and spirit
– 90 points

Voskevaz 2017 Karasi Collection Haghtanak

This wine approaches with a silky feel, weaving together blackberries and earthy beets, before haghtanak’s strong tannins take over the finish. The wine has a touch of sweetness, which helps to keep the fruit primary and vibrant, even five years on.

90

POINTS

wine and spirit
– 90 points

Keush Origins

A wild edge of acidity adds lift to this lemon-jammy wine. Though the flavors are rich, the texture is austere enough for freshly shucked oysters.

92

POINTS

wine and spirit
– 92 points

Keush 2017 Brut Nature Ultra Blanc de Noir

This traditional-method specialist makes sparklers from indigenous Armenian varieties grown in high-elevation estate vineyards. This one is made from areni, whole-cluster pressed. Scents of wildflower and elderflower give some lift to the otherwise leesy, toasty aromas (it ages three years on the lees before disgorgement). Flavors of white cherries and strawberries come through clearly in this elegant sparkler. —C.W.

93

POINTS

wine and spirit
– 93 points

Zulal 2019 Areni Reserve

Zulal means “pure” in Armenian, reflecting the winery’s focus on varietal bottlings. This wine grows at a south-facing parcel in Aghasafi. A core of jammy cherry fruit vibrates within the bounds of the flavorful tannins, imbued with black tea and almond skin. Though it’s intense, it finishes elegantly, the fruit washing over your palate, and it would cheer up a holiday table of weary travelers. —C.W.

90

POINTS

TP Medal 90 pts
The Tasting Panel
– 90 points

2019 Van Ardi Estate Red Blend

Armenian-born Vanzhan Mourandian, was a CPA in California when he wanted to pursue his wine dream. He returned home to create modern wines for his country and produced wines from organic vineyards and minimal winemaking intervention. This wine is smooth and silky and delicious from start to finish, with fine acidity. Its aromas and flavors of tart red fruit, black fruit, and dried spices pairs beautifully with carnitas enchiladas

91

POINTS

TP Medal 91 pts 1
The Tasting Panel
– 91 points

2021 Zulal Voskehat

Zulal is the Armenian word for pure. Aimee Keushguerian, who founded Zulal Wines in 2017, is one of the driving forces in the Armenian wine industry. She believes in producing authentic wines. This wine rocks with excellent clean rustic flavors of faint floral notes, chalk, dried earth, and bright apples. Its medium weight and firm deliver a wine perfect for a grilled shellfish platter.

93

POINTS

Lisa Granik MW
Lisa Granik MW
– 93 points

“Pretty, elegant, lifted cherry nose; pomegranate. Very well balanced structurally with tasty fruit character leading to a satisfying, elegantly lifted finish. Medium+ finish. Very nice wine, very attractive, should have wide appeal. What’s not to love? Very good value.” 

2021-01-22

88

POINTS

Lisa Granik MW
Lisa Granik MW
– 88 points

“Full-bodied but not heavy, generous until alcohol intervenes: too hot, also abbreviates finish. Good quality fruit: pure red fruits with hints of sweet spices and light/medium sweet tannins. Medium- finish. Does it need a little time? Oak very well integrated already Two different bottles had different alcohol statements: 14%/15%. Whichever the number, it’s sadly still unbalanced and intrusive.”

2021-01-22

93

POINTS

Lisa Granik MW
Lisa Granik MW
– 93 points

“Bright, fresh nose, initially quite complex, with more mineral/edgy/cranberry/pomegranate; torrefaction than others; the longer it breathed, the more the earthy/torrefaction character talked over the fruit. Quite fine.”

2021-01-22

93

POINTS

Lisa Granik MW
Lisa Granik MW
– 93 points

From a different parcel of vines than the “classic” bottling.  Harvested around the 10th of November, with a more rigorous sorting.  Fermented in stainless vats, but malolactic and elevage in (mostly used, 350-400 liter) oak barrels for about a year. Deep crimson and spicy, with the toasty oak character initially prominent on the nose, but plush, structured and elegant in the mouth with a supple, delicate tannic frame.  A lovely wine: layers of black pepper, vanilla, red berries, black licorice and holiday spices lead into a crisp finish.”

2021-01-22

90

POINTS

Lisa Granik MW
Lisa Granik MW
– 90 points

Pale crimson. Pretty delicate raspberry nose with light mineral note. Light bodied, filigreed, full-palate coverage – really. Impressive. Very feminine; poised. Fully integrated, refined. Delicate 3D finish. Really great right now and for the next three years. Great value.” 

2021-01-22

90

POINTS

Lisa Granik MW
Lisa Granik MW
– 90 points

Bright yellow.  Bright and focused on attack, it opens out to become broad and rich, not quite full-bodied, with aromas and flavors of citrus, pears and tropical fruits.”

2021-01-22

93

POINTS

Lisa Granik MW
Lisa Granik MW
– 93 points

“Full, rich, yeasty and very creamy, yet with green apple and tropical notes on the nose and palate. Juice from the oldest vines are used in this cuvée, imparting considerably more depth and breadth than the NV, and a finish that is crisp, and vaguely saline. Long and very satisfying. From the same village as the NV, the grapes grow on volcanic and limestone soils.”

2021-01-22

91

POINTS

Lisa Granik MW
Lisa Granik MW
– 91 points

“Featuring 100+ year old vines, this delightful sparking wine spends minimum 24 months on the lees. Bright, focused, complex and delicately textured, with flavors of stone fruits, jasmine, green apple, and a fine minerality throughout. Grapes: Voskehat 60% Khatouni 40%; dosage 4.5 g/l; no malolactic fermentation.”

2021-01-22

89

POINTS

Wine Sipping
– 89 points

“This is a nice red from Armenia, with a soft mouthfeel and nice balance. Easy drinking and fruit forward, with a touch of earth notes. Spicy and interesting. Rich and elegant.”

2021-05-26

91

POINTS

Wine Sipping
– 91 points

“Say hello to my first Armenian wine! This is a delicious sparkling wine from Armenia. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel. Dry on the palate with citrus, lemons, green apples, herbs, yeast, light spices, river rocks, earth and white pepper.”

2021-05-02

91

POINTS

Jeb Dunnuck
– 91 points

“The NV Keush Sparkling is a terrific wine, as well as a screaming value. Classy notes of white flowers, stone fruits, and obvious minerality flow to a ripe, textured, balanced sparkler that has way more depth, richness, and length than the price point would have you believe.”

2018-08-25

89

POINTS

Caroline Gilby
– 89 points

Caroline Gilby writes in her article “The rebirth of Armenian wine, and bottles to try” that “Few corners of the world can rival Armenia’s rich winemaking history and a new, exciting generation of wines have emerged in the post-Soviet era.”

2021-01-23

89

POINTS

Karen Mac Neil
Karen MacNeil
– 89 points

Armenia—the oldest wine drinking culture—also has an exciting small modern wine industry. Keush is a terrific example. Fresh and minerally, the [sparkling] wine comes from high elevation volcanic and limestone soils. Plus it’s a great opportunity to taste two little-known grape varieties: voskehat and khatouni.

2021-01-22

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