How it tastesLavender, rose petal and fresh herbs on the nose, then mature red fruits on the palate with chocolate behind them and notes of honey, laurel and vanilla on the close. Opulent and well-flavoured, with firm tannins and a dry, fresh finish. Karmrahyut 100%.The producerArmenia has a fair claim to being the birthplace of wine, and holds the site of the oldest known winemaking ruins, dated to 6,100 years ago. ArmAs was founded by Armen Aslanyan to pick that tradition back up: 180 hectares of vineyard and orchard on the 45th parallel, on undulating terrain of complex soils, with Mount Ararat behind. The vines run from 700 to 1,900 metres above sea level, ungrafted, in soils made up of 30 layers of volcanic rock, limestone and clay; 300 days of sunshine a year ripen the fruit slowly and cool summer nights keep it fresh. The vineyard is given over to native varieties, and Karmrahyut, whose name means red juice in Armenian, thrives here and shows that name in the depth of colour it gives. The grapes were hand-harvested and, after meticulous selection, fermented at 25 to 27C with selected yeasts; lees contact with monthly batonnage built a rich texture before eight months' ageing in stainless steel, the wine deliberately left unoaked to keep the fruit and the variety's character intact, under winemaker Emilio del Medico.Food and drinkingServe at 16-18C. Lamb kebabs, roast pork, grilled aubergine with walnuts, or a hard sheep's cheese. Ten years on it is drinking at its best and should be enjoyed over the next year or two rather than kept. Sealed under DIAM. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
