Do you know Armenian wine? I had tried it a few times but never paid much attention to it. The other day, I was lucky enough to be at Syndicate Wine Bar, the only wine bar in Beaverton, OR. I had a lovely conversation with the co-owner David Anderson. I told him that I’m always looking for wines I’ve never tried before. He introduced me to Trinity 6100 Areni Noir, an Armenian wine that he says tastes a little like Gamay. Oh boy!
Why Trinity 6100?
The winery is Trinity Canyon Vineyards or Trinity for short. Their tagline is lovely: “Modern wines with an ancient soul.”
How ancient? Well, they believe that the Vayots Dzor Highlands, where they’re located, is in close vicinity to the world’s oldest known wine-producing site dating back some 6100 years! Hence, the inclusion of 6100 in three of their wine names.
About Trinity
The winery started in 2009. Their vineyards are at a high elevation with volcanic soil. They say that, “This combination imparts a distinctive character and depth to our wines, reflecting the essence of our land.”
They are the first certified organic wine producer of Armenia. They take pride in their environmentally-conscious approach, ensuring that their “vineyards thrive harmoniously with nature. This dedication results in wines that not only showcase the terroir but also resonate with the passion and care we pour into each bottle.”
They take a minimalist approach to winemaking.
On the grape front, they do some wines we all know well, including Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet and Chardonnay. But they also do three grapes that we probably aren’t as familiar with. Two are whites, and one is red.
About the Armenian Whites
From Trinity’s website, we learn that, “Voskehat is an ancient Armenian grape variety known for producing distinctive and aromatic white wines. Often referred to as the ‘queen of Armenian grapes,’ Voskehat offers flavors of stone fruits, citrus, and floral notes. It thrives in high-altitude vineyards, showcasing the unique terroir of Armenia with a crisp, refreshing character.”
The other white they offer is another ancient indigenous grape called Khatun Kharji. The grape “produces aromatic wines with vibrant acidity, floral notes, and hints of citrus and green pear, reflecting the rich terroir of the region.”
About Areni Noir
Areni Noir is the ancient red grape from Armenia that is native to Vayots Dzor and thrives in high-altitude vineyards. According to the winery’s website, “Areni Noir produces elegant wines with vibrant acidity, delicate tannins, and flavors of red berries, pomegranate, and spice, reflecting Armenia’s rich winemaking tradition and unique viticultural heritage.”
Tasting Notes
We tried the 2020 6100 Estate-Bottled Areni Noir and really enjoyed it. But the wine took a LONG time to open. On the nose, we got raspberry, plum and licorice. On the taste, we got plum and earthiness. The wine was very complex, and we had a hard time understanding it. I needed to take five or six sips before I could even begin to wrap my arms around it. I was getting hints of acidity and tannin. But it tasted like a smooth, complex wine. After it had sat in the glass for 30 or so minutes, the wine was entirely different. At that point, it could have passed for a Gamay, as David said it might. And it was delicious. No more struggling with figuring out what it was. I highly recommend this wine, but I highly recommend pouring it and letting it sit for a good half hour.
Cheers!
