Zorah Karasi Areni Noir Magnum

6000 years of history in every bottle. This bright ruby red wine has complex aromas of red fruits and light spices, with a powerful, well-structured palate.

Yeghegnadzor, Vayots Dzor

Practicing organic, vegan/veggie.

13.5%

Magnum

MORE INFORMATION

Producer

Zorik Gharibian, an Armenian based in Italy, worked with Attilio Scienza to find precisely the right location for this exciting project. After three years of research and detailed analysis of every aspect of the region, he finally bought the land in Vayotz Dzor. This is historically known as the most prestigious wine region in Armenia. The intention was to create a wine of the highest international quality. Winemaker Alberto Antonini and viticulturalist Stefano Bartolomei brought a great deal of passion and planning to the project, as well as a profound understanding of how to make it a success.

Viticulture

Zorah has 15 hectares of vineyards, surrounded by mountains at 1,400 metres above sea level and only steps away from a 6,100 year old winery. The vineyards are situated in the small rural village of Rind in the heart of Vayotz Dzor, Armenia’s quintessential grape growing region for quality wines. Long dry summers, with good sunlight and high daytime temperatures contrast with cool nights, encouraging a lengthy growing season. The soils are rocky and rich in limestone, helping maintain moisture for the vines during the intense summer heat. The indigenous vines are grown on ungrafted rootstock as the area is unaffected by Phylloxera.

Winemaking 

Fermentation took place in temperature controlled concrete vats with indigenous yeast, the micro oxygenation in the concrete being similar to that of the traditional clay amphorae ‘karas’ in which the wine is then aged for around twelve months. The ‘karas’ used are of varying sizes and are found roaming the villages. Some are buried in the ground while others are above ground each giving their own unique nuances to the wine. The wine was very lightly filtered before bottling, and spent a further six months ageing in bottle before release. 

Taste

Bright ruby red in colour, this wine has complex aromas of red fruits, lightly spiced with an elegant toasted note. The palate reflects the exotic nose with hints of soft red fruits, dried mountain herbs and wild earth. Generous and soft with balanced, full-bodied structure and mature tannins before a long, evolved mineral finish.