2019 Karas Classic white

Armenia, a country in the South Caucasus, is the oldest Christian country in the world. Wine has been made here for 6,000 years. Despite this impressive history and dozens of ancient, indigenous grape varieties, Armenia is an almost forgotten wine country.

Karas is without doubt the most prominent winery from Armenia and that is certainly because it has the most famous wine consultant and winemaker Michel Rolland make the wine. The winery is located in the Ararat Valley where the soil is of volcanic origin. It has slightly eroded clay formed by basalt, with high levels of carbonate and limestone, volcanic tuff and alluvial rocks. The valley has a continental highland climate with hot summers and cold dry winters.

Karas also has on his labels: 6,200 years Crafting Wine and there are very few houses that can put this on their label

A special feature is this Karas dry white wine and in particular the Kangun grape, which is an Armenian autochthonous grape. The Kangun is an Armenian crossbreed. In 1979 they succeeded in (then communist) Yerevan to cross the Rkatsiteli with the Sukholimansky Bely, resulting in the Kangun. Intended to make Armenian brandy. The Ararat Brandy was and is a specialty of Armenia. For several years, viticulture in Armenia has been undergoing a real revival and the winegrowers prefer to work with local grape varieties.

The hand-harvested grapes, after being pressed, undergo a cool 24-hour decantation process and then the juice is fermented for 20 days at 14-16°C. The wine then remains on its lees for several months to mature in peace. Karas White is a blend of chardonnay, viognier and kangun and this combination gives a nice glass of fresh white. The wine has a floral and smoky aroma in which there is also something creamy (butter/dairy) to be discovered and all this covered with a hint of citrus. The taste is full, mineral and round, with a slight bitter aftertaste.

parker:

The Karas White is a blend of 40% each of Kangun and Chardonnay, 10% Viognier and 10% Rkatsiteli, unoaked and coming in at 14% alcohol. In case you're wondering, the winery's representative said to me that Kangun is a "local grape. Late harvest maturation..." and a tannic variety with good acidity and higher aromatic intensity. This is ripe and tasty, emphasizing its easy-drinking appeal. There's a hint of melon and musk on the nose that follows through onto the palate. Nicely done, it's a very good value