Zorah Karasi 2017 Areni Noir 750ml

Areni has been thriving in southwestern Armenia for thou- sands of years, protected from phylloxera and other modern-day scourges by the region’s mountain peaks. Zorik Gharibian has been working on reviving areni’s reputation since he started his winery in 2010. This 2017, made partially in karasì (the local clay vessels), is darker than earlier vintages, with a chocolate richness underlining its cherry and plum fruit, yet it still has a hallmark zesty acidity that keeps it lively.

Score: 90 points -- Wine & Spirits Magazine