Zorah Karasi Aremi Noir 2020 75cl

Zorah Karasi, Armenia

Zorik Gharibian planted six hectares of the native Areni grape variety in the Yeghegnadzor Valley in south-eastern Armenia in 2006, under the guidance of Italian viticulturalist Stefano Bartolomei. The vineyard is situated at an altitude of 1,370 metres, close to Mount Ararat and two kilometres from what archaeologists say is one of the oldest wineries in the world, dating back 6,100 years.

Thanks to the cool nights, the growing season extends well into October.

'Karasi' translates as amphora in Armenian and indeed is a nod to the clay amphorae now preferred by consultant winemaker Alberto Antonini for the 12 months maturation after the wine has been fermented in concrete vats. This wine has aromas of lightly spiced red fruits. The palate reflects the nose with hints of red fruits interwoven with an earthy savouriness and dried herbs. The palate is full-bodied and generous with vibrant chalky tannins and a touch of graphite on a long mineral finish.