Yacoubian-Hobbs Areni (Armernian)

Paul Hobbs' partnership with the Yacoubian family in the "birthplace of wine" yielded this mineral-driven red, grown in a high-altitude vineyard whose astonishing water source is the melting snow of Mount Ararat. Featuring indigenous variety Areni with 5% Tozot and aged 20 months in stainless steel, it offers an immediate sense of elegance, releasing a sublime stream of strawberry and rose petal. The wine reaches a floral crescendo from the midpalate to the finish while dipping into spiced cedar, white pepper, and cinnamon.

This black cherry-colored wine has a nose of blackberry, Earl Grey tea, clove and butterscotch. Cassis, Mission fig, milk chocolate, violet and baking spice flavors are wrapped in a web of silky tannins. The vivid finish is marked with a hint of mint.