Zorah Sireni Noir 2019

2019 Zorah Heritage Sireni features a grape variety indigenous to Artsakh. Sireni is a mid-ripening red grape variety which grows exclusively in the soft climate of this region. The bunches are compact with very dark berries. It’s resistant to summer drought but sensitive to cold winter temperatures. Ararati on the other hand, which takes its name from Armenia’s sacred mountain Ararat, is an indigenous white grape variety and grows well in the highlands of Vayotz Dzor. It has large juicy greenish, yellow berries. It is late-ripening and resistant to disease. Ararati has been largely ignored by locals and to this date no wines have been made from this variety.

Sireni can be found at elevations of around 400m in clay sedimentary soils. The vineyards from which the Sireni is sourced are dry farmed with no irrigation. In contrast the Ararati grapes are sourced from the highlands of Vayotz Dzor at elevations of 1300m. Despite its high potential this variety is on the verge of extinction. The grapes are gathered from among random rows of 30- to 40-year-old vineyards surrounding the Zorah estate.

The grape varieties are fermented separately in traditional Armenian amphorae which are three-quarters buried in the ground. The Ararati is given some skin contact. They are then blended together and aged for about two years in a mix of clay amphorae (karasí) and rough concrete vats with no epoxy lining. It’s released after a further 12 months in the bottle.
It’s a full-bodied wine with grippy tannins and notes of black fruits, pomegranate and liquorice. – Zorik Gharibian, Zorah