2016 Yacoubian-Hobbs Red Areni Armenia 750 ml

The 2016 Yacoubian-Hobbs Areni Red is the definitive example of Old World meets New. Born of a collaboration between two native sons of Armenia and California icon Paul Hobbs, the 100-point winemaker who has twice been named “Wine Personality of the Year” by Robert Parker, this 100% Areni is the ultimate introduction to indigenous Armenian reds, elevated by a true master. 

This Areni is grown a stone’s throw from the oldest known winery dating from over 6,000 years ago. From high-altitude, volcanic soils in Vayots Dzor—the Napa Valley of Armenia—Hobbs has married the region’s first-class grapes with his new world winemaking tools and savoir faire that has made him one of the most in-demand consulting winemakers on the planet. 

The result is a superbly terroir-driven wine, led by a bouquet of dried cherry and loganberry aromas with undercurrents of clove, allspice, dried coriander, and cracked pepper. Medium bodied and impeccably balanced, the concentrated dried red berry carries the palate alongside firm, crunchy tannins and hints of savory mushroom and peppery spice that comes together beautifully on the finish. 

Serious collectors in Napa and beyond know the name Paul Hobbs, whether it’s from the perfect-scoring wines from his own portfolio or his time helping Robert Mondavi establish Opus One. Hobbs knows how to elevate the sauce if the ingredients are good, and this 2016 Areni single-handedly proves his belief in the world-class potential of Armenian terroir through this thick-skinned, late-ripening variety. 

A well-structured beauty that continues to help thrust Armenia into the international spotlight with every vintage—this 2016 Yacoubian-Hobbs Areni has the chops to compete with the very best reds in the world.