Here’s the 16th installment of The Wine Chef’s December "Advent Calendar" wine series.

Yacoubian-Hobbs 2019 Areni

Armenia's wine scene is buzzing with excitement, and if you haven't tried Armenian wines yet, you're missing out.

One standout bottle is the Yacoubian-Hobbs 2019 Areni. This stunning red wine is the result of a collaboration between Armenian wine pioneer Vahe Yacoubian and internationally renowned winemaker Paul Hobbs. Together, they are crafting world-class wines using Armenia's indigenous grapes, like Areni—an ancient variety that thrives in the high-altitude, rocky, mineral-rich volcanic soils of the Vayots Dzor region.

Talk about a wine with history! Now the question is, how does it taste?

In a word, delicious!

I love how fragrant and full of flavor this Areni is, with dark cherry fruit notes and hints of black pepper, leather, and herbs like rosemary and eucalyptus. It reminds me of Sangiovese from Chianti in Tuscany, with its earthiness, but it’s a little softer around the edges, with less acidity.

This wine is all about elegance—the medium-plus body and tannic structure are well-balanced by just the right amount of acidity and alcohol (14.0%).

If you're a fan of Sangiovese or even Pinot Noir, you'll likely fall head over heels for this Areni. It's a fantastic introduction to Armenia’s exciting wine revival.

Try it with dishes like Eggplant Parmesean or Roasted Root Vegetables with Thyme.

Find the wine (SRP $35) on wine-searcher.com.