2018 Zulal Vayots Dzor Areni Reserve Red Wine Armenia

Areni is an ancient red grape variety indigenous to Armenia. Zulal, meaning ‘pure’ in Armenian, was created to express the purest characteristics of Armenia’s indigenous grape varieties such as Areni. The barrel aging of the 2018 Areni Reserve adds a round mouthfeel and deep spice note to the expressive red berry flavors of the Areni grape.

ZULAL ARENI RESERVE 2018

VINEYARDS: South facing single plot with volcanic soil situated at 1200 masl in Arpa Valley, Vayots Dzor.

GRAPE HISTORY : 100% Areni. Armenia's signature grape, Areni is a thick skinned, late ripening variety with medium tannin, medium to high acidity , and cherry and spice bouquet. Coming from a village of the same name in Vayots Dzor region and a cave, where the oldest winery of the world is discovered, Areni has been making wine in this region for several millenia.

WINE ANALYSIS

ABV: 14 %

AT: 4.9 g/l

FOUNDER: Aimee Keushguerian

WINEMAKER: Arman Manoukian

VINIFICATION: Hand sorted, fermented in stainless steel, aged in used Caucasian and French oak barrels

for 12 months. Meaning pure in Armenian, Zulal was founded to craft wines that express the purest

characteristics of Armenian indigenous grape varieties. With its Reserve collection, Zulal

focuses on Armenia’s signature Areni and Voskehat grapes aging them in the local

Caucasian oak barrels.

WINEMAKER'S NOTES: This wine has an intense nose showing ripe red cherries and red currants on the nose with nuanced caramel and vanilla notes. The palate is pleasant with silky tannins, with a round

mouthfeel and long finish