On the nose more floral than fruity, with some earthy notes. When the fruit shows up, it comes from the red berries category. In the mouth fresh and light yet filling. Good, delicate length. Overall a charming medium body red wine, that reminds me of a Gamay.
Karasi is a varietal wine made with Areni Noir grapes grown at an altitude of 1400 masl. Areni Noir is indigenous to Armenia and may be one of the oldest grape varieties in the world. It has never been grafted and grows on its own roots in a phylloxera free terroir.
Zorah ferments the grapes in concrete vats and then put the juice in clay amphorae (“karas”), where the wine is aged for around twelve months.
I bought this Karasi 2013 on the Sorrento Peninsula for 34 EUR and drank it in Amalfi, during this year Eastern holidays with my son.
I first discovered about Zorah wines while visiting a winery in Georgia in September 2016. The American owner was enthusiastic about their 100 USD Yeraz wine. Since I was next travelling to Armenia, I followed up on his suggestion and looked for the wine in Yerevan. I found it in an upscale wine shop, but decided not to buy it, given that I judged the price overdone. Good Areni wines generally sells for 15 USD or less. I instead bought a bottle of Karasi 2014 for some 30 USD, which I found already rather overpriced. This bottle is still resting in my cellar.
Unfortunately, on my way from Yerevan to Areni (the town) I’ve not been able to visit Zorah winery, because it was not open to visitors. On the other side, in Areni I’ve been able to smuggle into Areni-1, the 6100 year old winery that was discovered ten years ago. This prehistoric winery was equipped with fermentation vats, a wine press and storage jars. Grape seeds, remains of pressed grapes and pottery sherds have also been found. It all testimonies to the deep viticultural tradition of the Caucasian region.
Country: Armenia
Region: Vayots Dzor
Grapes: Areni Noir
Type: Red
Vintage: 2013
Producer: Zorah
Price range: Premium (30-50 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 3/5