Aragatsotn, Armenia, 13.5% vol., 41$

Grape variety: Voskehat

The wine is medium lemon in colour. Clean nose of moderate plus intensity; aromas of stone fruit, yellow pear and yellow apple, white flowers, and light notes of vanilla and bread toast. On the palate, the wine is dry, with medium plus very well integrated alcohol, medium lively acidity, a medium plus body, moderate plus fruit concentration on the medium plus finish. Very good quality; noble, harmonious and complex aromatics; on the palate the wine is very well balanced, mouth-coating and soft, with a very decent fruitiness. Ready for drinking with 4–5-years bottle storage potential.

Country of purchase: Armenia

Tasted on 12/05/2023

Ararat valley, Ararat valley, Armenia, 15% vol., 67$

Grape variety: Syrah; Montepulciano; Cabernet Franc

The wine is deep ruby in colour. Clean and intense nose; aromas of walnut, smoke, vanilla, spices, smoked meats and black berries. On the palate, the wine is dry, with high but well integrated alcohol, medium soft acidity, medium ripe and silky tannins, a full body, medium fruit concentration on the medium finish with a light bitterness. Very good quality; very pleasant and complex nose, velvety and intense; oak aromatics predominate; the taste loses to aromatics, but nevertheless worthy, powerful and balanced. Ready for drinking with 4-5 year bottle storage potential.

Country of purchase: Armenia

Tasted on 12/05/2023

Kuban. Afips River Valley PGI, Krasnodar region, Russia, 1% vol., 900

Grape variety: Müller-Thurgau

The wine is light lemon in colour. Clean nose of moderate intensity; aromas of lime, green apple, peach, fresh grape and mineral notes. On the palate, the wine is dry, with fairly high warming alcohol, medium soft acidity, a medium body, moderate plus fruit concentration on the medium plus finish with notes of green apple and a slight bitterness. Very good quality; fresh, fruity, delicate aroma, with clear varietal characteristics; high alcohol is present on the palate, but an elevated fruit concentration and long aftertaste smoothes its perception. Drink now.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 12/05/2023

Vayots Dzor, Armenia, 13% vol., 42€

Grape variety: Areni

The wine is medium ruby in colour with a slight orange rim. Clean nose of moderate intensity; aromas of blackberries, honeysuckle, roasted hazelnuts, bread toast, cinnamon and a light note of smoked meat. On the palate, the wine is dry, with moderate very well integrated alcohol, medium plus juicy acidity, medium plus velvety tannins, a medium body, moderate plus fruit concentration on the medium plus long aftertaste. Very good quality; developed, complex, pleasant aromatics of black berries and notes of long ageing in oak; oak aroma dominates; on the palate the wine is balanced, rounded, velvety, with decent fruitiness and aftertaste. Drink now.

Country of purchase: Armenia

Tasted on 10/04/2023

Divnomorskoye PDO, Krasnodar region, Russia, 12.5% vol., 850

Grape variety: Chardonnay; Pinot Blanc; Manzoni Bianco

The wine is medium lemon in colour. Clean nose of moderate intensity; aromas of green apple, lemon, kiwi and a light note of cream. On the palate, the wine is dry, with moderate very well integrated alcohol, high crisp acidity, a light body, moderate fruit concentration on the medium finish. Good quality; pleasant nose, consisting mainly of primary aromas; aromatics are subtle, fruity and not intrusive; on the palate, the wine is juicy, with citrus acidity, balanced and light. Drink now.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 10/04/2023

Republic of Crimea, Russia, 11-13% vol., 1 300

Grape variety: Saperavi

The wine is deep ruby in colour with a purple hue. Clean nose of moderate plus intensity; aromas of black rowan, prunes, black bread crust and light notes of spices. On the palate, the wine is dry, with moderate integrated alcohol, medium plus juicy acidity, medium plus young tannins, a medium body, moderate fruit concentration on the medium finish. Good quality; pleasant aromatics with a certain varietal typicity and elements of complexity; on the palate, the wine is juicy, fairly balanced, moderately-bodied. Ready for drinking with potential for further development in the bottle (1-2 years).

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 10/04/2023

Republic of Crimea, Russia, 12-14% vol., 1 000

Grape variety: Vostorg

The wine is medium gold in colour. Clean nose of moderate plus intensity; aromas of dried apple, white raisin, dried apricot and ginger. On the palate, the wine is dry, with moderate well-integrated alcohol, medium plus bright acidity, light tannins, a medium minus body, moderate plus fruit concentration on the medium finish. Good quality; light and easy drinking «orange», with a fairly typical aroma of dried fruits; on the palate the wine with a light astringency, juicy and with good fruitiness. Drink now.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 10/04/2023

Republic of Crimea, Russia, 10-12% vol., 1 300

Grape variety: Tavkveri Magaracha

The wine is deep purple in colour. Clean nose of moderate plus intensity; aromas of black raisin, cherry jam and black gooseberry. On the palate, the wine is dry, with moderate integrated alcohol, high crisp acidity, medium young tannins, a medium minus body, moderate minus fruit concentration on the medium minus finish. Average quality; fairly simple, sweet jammy aroma; on the palate, the wine with very high standing out acidity, moderately-bodied. Drink now.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 10/04/2023

Kakheti, Georgia, 13% vol.

Grape variety: Kisi

The wine is deep orange in colour - a real orange. Clean and intense nose; aromas of orange peel, peach, dried apricots, light balsamic notes and notes of hay. On the palate, the wine is dry, with moderate perfectly integrated alcohol, high juicy acidity, a medium minus body, fairly high fruit concentration on the long finish, with notes of dried citrus fruits. Outstanding quality; with pleasant, intense and typical aromas that evoke exceptionally positive emotions; on the palate the wine is perfectly balanced, juicy, with a light mouth-coating texture with a very well concentrated and long aftertaste. Drink within 4-5 years.

Country of purchase: Georgia

Tasted on 22/02/2023

Kakheti, Georgia, 13.5% vol.

Grape variety: Saperavi

The wine is deep ruby in colour. Clean nose of medium plus intensity; dominated by very pleasant aromas of black berries, in particular blackberries, a little prunes, which are replaced by a note of liquorice, as well as notes of spicy herbs. On the palate, the wine is dry, with moderate plus but very well integrated alcohol, high juicy acidity, medium plus young but ripe tannins, a medium plus body, high fruit concentration on the medium plus finish with notes of black berries and liquorice. Outstanding quality; very pleasant and rather restrained spicy-berry aroma with dominance of black ripe berries; on the palate the wine is well balanced despite still young tannins, it has a certain ripeness on the palate and roundness; there is also a very decent fruit concentration and aftertaste length. The wine is ready for drinking, but I recommend drinking it after a few years. Development potential in a bottle is about 4-5 years.

Country of purchase: Georgia

Tasted on 22/02/2023

Kakheti, Georgia, 13.5% vol.

Grape variety: Rkatsiteli

The wine is medium orange in colour. Clean and intense nose; aromatics of orange marmalade, honey, dried apricots and peach. On the palate, the wine is dry, with moderate plus but very well integrated alcohol, high crisp acidity, a medium minus body, moderate plus fruit concentration on medium plus finish with hints of marmalade and dried citrus fruits. Very good quality; pleasant, intense, delicate, velvety and very typical aromas; on the palate, the wine is very juicy, refreshing with a light mouth-coating texture, but noticeable light tannins, typical for such wine, with very good fruitiness and a decent aftertaste. The wine is ready for drinking, the development potential in the bottle is approximately 3-4 years.

Country of purchase: Georgia

Tasted on 22/02/2023

Kakheti, Georgia, 13.5% vol.

Grape variety: Kisi

The wine is deep orange in colour. Clean and intense nose; aromas of candied fruits, dried citrus fruits, peach, honey and hay. On the palate, the wine is dry, with moderate, well-integrated alcohol, high juicy acidity, a medium minus body, moderate plus fruit concentration on the medium plus finish, with notes of dried citrus fruits. Very good quality, with pleasant and intense aromas that develop in the glass; on the palate, the wine is juicy, well-balanced, harmonious, with decent fruitiness and a long finish. Drink in 4-5 years.

Country of purchase: Georgia

Tasted on 22/02/2023

Kakheti, Georgia, 11.5% vol.

Grape variety: Tsolikouri

The wine is deep gold in colour. Clean nose of moderate plus intensity; dominated by floral aromas, which are replaced by citrus notes, appealing minerality, light earthy, but pleasant tone. On the palate, the wine is dry, very well balanced, with moderate very well integrated alcohol, with high crisp acidity, a light body, moderate plus fruit concentrationon the medium plus finish with notes of citrus fruits. Very good quality; very pleasant floral-citrus and earthy aromas; on the palate very well balanced, light, refreshing, crispy. Drink now while maintaining freshness and brightness.

Country of purchase: Georgia

Tasted on 22/02/2023

Kakheti, Georgia, 13.5% vol.

Grape variety: Kisi

The wine is medium-gold in colour. Clean nose of moderate intensity; primary aromas of yellow apple, yellow pear dominate, as well as light notes of dried fruits such as dried apricots. On the palate, the wine is dry, with moderate well-integrated alcohol, medium plus mild acidity, a medium minus body, medium fruit concentration on the medium finish, with notes of yellow apple and pear. Good quality; fruity restrained aromatics, consisting of primary aromas; on the palate the wine is balanced, with well-integrated alcohol and acidity, however the acidity is somewhat mild. Drink now.

Country of purchase: Georgia

Tasted on 22/02/2023

Kuban. Taman peninsula PGI, Krasnodar region, Russia, 12% vol., 1 200

Grape variety: Chardonnay

The wine is light gold in colour; persistent perlage of small bubbles. Clean nose of moderate minus intensity; aromas of brioche, yellow apple, pear and a light note of buttercream. On the palate, the wine with a light sweetness (brut), with moderate well-integrated alcohol, medium plus acidity, a light body, moderate minus fruit concentration on the medium finish. Good quality; light and fresh aromatics, indicating the traditional method of production; on the palate, the wine is refreshing, light, but sweetness dominates acidity. Drink now.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 14/02/2023

Krasnodar region, Russia, 11-13% vol., 590

Grape variety: Müller-Thurgau; Pinot Blanc; Riesling; Saperavi

The wine is light salmon in colour; persistent perlage of small bubbles. Clean nose of moderate intensity; aromas of green apple, green gooseberry and red currant. On the palate, the wine is dry with moderate very well integrated alcohol, high crisp acidity, a light body, moderate fruit concentration on the medium finish with notes of green apple and redcurrant. Good quality; clean, fresh and fruity aromas; on the palate the wine is juicy, light and refreshing. Drink now.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 14/02/2023

Taman Southern Shore PDO, Krasnodar region, Russia, 10.5-12.5% vol., 450

Grape variety: Riesling

The wine is light lemon in colour; persistent perlage of medium bubbles. Clean and intense nose; aromas of peach, Duchesse pear, melon and notes of honey. On the palate, the wine with a light sweetness (medium-dry), moderate well-integrated alcohol, high crisp acidity, a light body, moderate fruit concentration on the medium minus finish with notes of Duchesse pear. Bright and fruity aromatics, with certain varietal characteristics; on the palate the wine is juicy, light, with a light sweetness that balances the high acidity. Drink now.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 14/02/2023

Kuban. Novorossiysk PGI, Krasnodar region, Russia, 11.5-13.5% vol., 600

Grape variety: Pinot Noir

The wine is light gold in colour; moderate perlage of medium bubbles. Slightly tired and slightly reductive nose of moderate intensity; aromas of quince, dried red cherries and dried apricots. On the palate, the wine is dry, with moderate integrated alcohol, high acidity, a light body, moderate minus fruit concentration on the medium minus finish. The wine is passing its peak, but the aromatics are still on the positive side; on the palate the wine is juicy and light. Drink now.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 14/02/2023

Republic of Crimea, Russia, 11.5-13.5% vol., 600

Grape variety: Kokur Belyy

The wine is light gold in colour; moderate perlage of small bubbles. Clean nose of moderate plus intensity; aromas of yellow apple, pear and white melon. On the palate, the wine is dry, with moderate well-integrated alcohol, high juicy acidity, a light body, moderate fruit concentration on the medium minus finish with a note of yellow apple. Good quality; clean, fresh, fruity aromatics with defined varietal characteristics; on the palate the wine is juicy, refreshing and light. Drink now.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 12/01/2023

Kuban PGI, Krasnodar region, Russia, 11-13% vol., 480

Grape variety: Riesling

The wine is light lemon in colour; moderate perlage of medium bubbles. Clean and intense nose; aromas of green apple, white flowers, minerality and light honey notes. On the palate, the wine with a light sweetness (brut), moderate very well integrated alcohol, high juicy acidity, a light body, moderate fruit concentration on the medium finish with hints of citrus fruits. Good quality; bright, fresh and fruity aromas with distinct Riesling varietal characteristics; on the palate the wine is juicy, light, well balanced and citrusy. Drink now.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 12/01/2023