White Blend, Yacoubian-Hobbs, Armenia, 2020

Professional Ratings

• 95 points – Tasting Panel Magazine
  Described as a high-altitude, indigenous-grape blend with “exotic, pronounced aromas of jasmine and ripe apricot,” plus lemon oil, chamomile, pine nut, and a long mineral finish.
  One of the highest professional scores for this wine.
• 91 points – Jeb Dunnuck
  Notes a fresh, floral, and citrus-driven profile with lime leaf, starfruit, melon, citrus blossom, and chalky minerality; stainless-steel fermented, emphasizing purity and lift.
• 90 points – Wine Enthusiast (listed as a related 2020 Yacoubian-Hobbs white blend bottling from the same project/region style)
  Described as smooth, gently oxidative, with vanilla, spice, and a long, well-developed finish.
• 92 points – Ken’s Wine Guide (reviewer score)
  “Very Good+” with aromas of jasmine, citrus, nectarine, beeswax, and saline minerality; bright acidity and medium-bodied structure.

Overall critical consensus

Across professional reviewers, the 2020 White Blend is consistently described as:

• High quality (90–95 point range)
• Built around indigenous Armenian grapes (Voskehat, Khatuni)
• Stylistically:
  • High-altitude freshness
  • Bright citrus + stone fruit character
  • Floral aromatics (jasmine, honeysuckle)
  • Strong mineral / saline backbone
  • Stainless-steel, no-oak precision

General takeaway from critics

This wine is widely regarded as a serious, terroir-driven Armenian white made with international winemaking precision (Paul Hobbs influence), but still expressive of local grapes and volcanic/mineral soils. The ratings place it in the “excellent to outstanding” tier for its price range (~$30–$35).

Blend: 50% Voskehat, 50% Khatuni

Internationally renowned winemaker Paul Hobbs and the Yacoubian family journey to the Birthplace of Wine to craft modern, world class wines from the indigenous varieties found in the high altitude, mineral-rich soils of Vayots Dzor, Armenia. Their newly planted vineyards grow a stone’s throw away from the Areni-1 cave, the oldest known winery dating from over 6,000 years ago. With their local team, Paul and the Yacoubians are growing and crafting wines that confirm Armenia’s part not only in the ancient history of winemaking, but in its very relevant present and future amongst the great wine regions of the world. "The soul of a wine is when it speaks to a place. If you don't have that, then you've missed everything. And that quest is why we're so fired up to be here." - Paul Hobbs