Karas Classic Red from Armenia
As close as I am to Armenia, living in Turkey, I still haven’t visited. A pity as I hear Yeravan is nice. And of course I’d love to check out the wine scene in Armenia. We certainly don’t see any here. Relations between Armenia and Turkey being what they are, Armenian wine isn’t exactly thick on the ground here. It’s not even thin on the ground. Luckily, thanks to some well-traveled friends, the wine came to me.
Karas Wines, founded in 2002, is a relatively new winery by anyone’s standards, let alone by a country that measures years making wine by the thousands. Yet the winery has already managed to earn a great deal of respect due to the team who founded it. Uncle and niece duo Eduardo Eurnekian and Juliana Del Aguila Eurnekian spent more than a decade making wine at Bodega Del Fin Del Mundo, in Neuquén, Argentina before returning to their ancestral homeland. Together they founded Karas, which means amphora, in the shadow of Mount Ararat in Armavir, Armenia. Vintner and sommelier Juliana turned her hand to winemaking years ago with mentor Michel Rolland. All three embarked on this special project with innovation and environmental responsibility at its heart. The Eurnekians believe Karas will build bridges between Armenia and the rest of the world.
Cultivated in Karas’s volcanic soils are an array of domestic and international grapes, including: Khnodghni, Kangun, Chardonnay, Viognier, Rkatsiteli, Muscat, Syrah, Tannat, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Montepulciano, and Ancellota.
As numerous as are the grapes found in the vineyards, Karas has nearly as many wines made from them. Their line-up includes: Karas Classic Red, Classic White, Dry and Sweet Muscat, Syrah Rose, Semi-Sweet Sparkling, Extra Brut, Areni-Khdoghni, Reserve, Syrah, and Grand Karas. Sadly I’ve only had my hands on one, the Classic Red.
Karas Classic Red 2014 Tasting Notes
After a quick check on Karas’s website, I learned that the blend for the Classic Red changes from year to year. The vintage I had, the 2014, included Syrah, Tannat, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Khndoghni, and Montepulciano. A mouthful even without that difficult to pronounce grape!
Intense purple-ruby in the glass, the Karas opens to aromas of black fruits, smoked meat, and a nose-tingling bouquet of spices. That bigness continued on the palate with 14% abv, medium chewy tannins, plump jammy fruits, and a plethora of pepper, clove, and nutmeg.
I felt it was a little hot and not particularly balanced. Despite that, I would truly love to try some more Armenian wine if I can lay my hands on any!