Wines of Abrau-Durso Group Won the Highest Awards of the Artur Sargsyan’s Guide

The 11^th edition of the “Wine Guide of Russia” by Artur Sargsyan has been published. This year it was first published in partnership with RBK. Two classic sparkling wines of Abrau-Durso received the highest platinum award of the Guide. They are Cuvée Alexander II Magnum 2022 and Imperial Brut Vintage Magnum 2020. Victor Dravigny brut Magnum 2021, Imperial Vintage Brut 2020, and vintage Krasnostop Zolotovsky 2020 of Vedernikov Winery were awarded the gold medals. In total 34 wines of Abrau-Durso Group were included in the Guide and won different medals, which is one third more than in the previous year.

The “Wine Guide of Russia” by Artur Sargsyan is a unique author’s project that presents the best Russian wines annually. While he was preparing this edition, Artur Sargsyan visited over 130 wineries and tasted 4,500 samples from the key winemaking regions of Russia. This Guide presents the best wines by several categories depending on the points scored: from bronze and silver medals up to the highest level — platinum and gold.

The platinum awards received by 2 Abrau-Durso sparkling wines have become the important achievement. Cuvée Alexander II brut 2022 in magnum format with its rich flavor and elegant composition, being the author’s project of Abrau-Durso Chief Oenologist George Blanc named after Emperor Alexander II, scored 92 points. Imperial Vintage Brut 2020 in magnum format featuring rich brioche aroma and apple and citrus flavor was also highly appreciated by the expert and received 93 points. Imperial Vintage Brut Magnum has already received the highest award of the Guide. In 2022, Imperial 2017 was the only sparkling wine awarded the platinum medal.

This year in total 10 sparkling wines won the gold medals, of which 2 samples made by Abrau-Durso Group: first introduced Victor Dravigny Brut Magnum 2021 (90 points) and Imperial Vintage Brut 2020 (91 points). Among the still wines, Krasnostop Zolotovsky 2020 of Vedernikov Winery was awarded the gold medal.

“Artur Sargsyan’s Guide is the industry’s most authoritative author’s tasting project. We are proud of our winemakers’ achievements — Abrau-Durso has won half of 4 platinum awards in the sparkling wines category. The platinum medal of Cuvée Alexander II in magnum format has become very special as it is a unique super premium sparkling wine which represents George Blanc’s special assemblage of various vintages. Again, collectible sparkling wine Imperial Vintage Brut has confirmed its status of one of the best Russian sparkling wines by winning the second platinum medal in magnum format in its history and a new gold medal in classical bottle format”, comments Pavel Titov, Abrau-Durso Group President.

The 11^th edition of the author’s Wine Guide includes top 1000 best wines from Russia and bordering countries that received 87 or more points according to the international 100-point system. Wines for this book are personally selected by author, head of the Russian Union of Sommeliers and Experts, honored sommelier of Russia, and partner of RBK Wine Artur Sargsyan during the two-stage expert tasting. The first stage takes place at wineries and for the control stage wines are bought in retail stores. The author’s Guide by Artur Sargsyan provides detailed descriptions of the Russian winemaking regions, grape varieties and vineyards, as well as wine routes for tourists. The “2025 Wine Guide of Russia” includes the best 404 red, 353 white, 158 sparkling, and 60 rose wines according to the author.

Additional Information about Abrau-Durso Group’s Awards:

Platinum Medal Winners:

Imperial Vintage Brut 2020 in magnum format — 93 points,

Cuvée Alexander II brut Magnum 2022 — 92 points.

Gold Medal Winners:

Imperial Vintage Brut 2020 — 91 points.

Victor Dravigny Brut 2021 in magnum format — 90 points,

Vedernikov Winery, Krasnostop Zolotovsky 2020 in oak — 90 points.

Silver Medal Winners:

Vedernikov Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 — 89 points,

Vedernikov Winery, Governor’s Reserve red 2020 — 89 points,

Brut d’Or Blanc de Blancs 2020 — 89 points,

Brut d’Or Blanc de Noirs 2020 — 89 points,

Imperial Brut Rose 2020 — 89 points,

Vedernikov Winery, Sibirkovy extra brut 2017 — 88 points,

Vedernikov Winery, Sibirkovy — Aligote brut 2021 — 88 points,

Vedernikov Winery, Tsimlyansky Cherny Blanc de Noirs 2022 — 88 points,

Vedernikov Winery, Sibirkovy 2023 — 88 points,

Vedernikov Winery, Tsimlyansky Cherny 2020 — 88 points,

Victor Dravigny Extra Brut 2020 — 88 points,

Victor Dravigny Brut 2022 — 88 points,

Brut d’Or Riesling 2021 — 88 points,

Brut d’Or Blanc de Blancs 2021 — 88 points,

Brut d’Or Blanc de Noirs 2021 — 88 points,

Victor Dravigny Brut Rose 2022 — 88 points,

Brut d’Or Rose 2021 — 88 points,

Victor Dravigny red semi-sweet 2020 — 88 points,

Chardonnay 2023 — 88 points,

Riesling 2022 — 88 points,

Riesling 2023 — 88 points,

Vedernikov Winery, Governor’s Riesling 2023 — 87 points,

Vedernikov Winery, Governor’s Reserve white 2021 — 87 points,

Vedernikov Winery, Governor’s Golubok 2022 — 87 points,

Vedernikov Winery, Krasnostop Zolotovsky 2023 — 87 points,

Abrau Durso Reserve Brut 2023 — 87 points,

Victor Dravigny red semi-sweet 2021 — 87 points,

Pinot Noir 2023 — 87 points,

Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 — 87 points.