ZORAH YERAZ RED RESERVE WINE 2018 / SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY
Zorah’s Yeraz (Dream in Armenian) is a natural field blend. Much like colourful threads in a tapestry, the grapes come from small vineyard parcels which encompass a vibrant mosaic of varying strains within the ancient Areni grape variety which have survived and evolved through the ages. These individual vines create a multiplicity within this variety which cannot be seen as anything other than the whole of the vineyard.
This is extreme, high-altitude viticulture with ancient ultra-centennial bush vineyards at 1600m above sea level. It's a phylloxera-free terroir with a combination of volcanic, sedimentary and limestone soils with no irrigation.
2016 was a year characterised by initial frost and a rainy spring followed by a long, hot summer with high day-time temperatures and strong sunlight balanced with fresh cool nights. Day/night temperature differences averaged 20°C during harvest. Conditions were dry until the end of September when picking started. We harvested the grapes by hand, with meticulous selection, at the end of September.
Fermentation took place in rough, temperature-controlled concrete tanks using only natural yeast. The wine was matured in traditional amphorae of varying sizes for almost 24 months, with short passages in large, untoasted cask to soften the tannins. The wine was further aged for 12 months in bottle.
The nose shows black pepper, cherry, cedar and earth. Soft and silky on the palate, leading to a seamlessly long and spicy finish. A medium-bodied wine with intense punch of flavour and remarkable finesse.
Alcohol: 15%