{"product_id":"zulal-wines-vayots-dzor-areni-750ml","title":"Zulal Wines Vayots Dzor Areni 2021 750ml","description":"\u003cp\u003eARMENIA : VAYOTS DZOR\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSUSTAINABLE : Areni Noir\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMED-BODIED, POMEGRANATE, DRIED CHERRY, VOLCANIC MINERAL, NEUTRAL OAK\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr style=\"margin: 0;\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAreni Noir from the volcanic highlands of Vayots Dzor — where 6,100-year-old wine-making artifacts were uncovered in the Areni-1 cave, a ten-minute drive from these vineyards. Aimee Keushguerian founded Zulal in 2015 to make a serious case for the variety, sourcing from 30-year-old vines across Aghavnadzor and Khachik on basalt and granite soils at 1,400–1,600 meters. Many are ungrafted — phylloxera hasn't reached these dry, rocky highlands.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNative yeast fermentation, 12 months in Caucasian oak (older barrels, lighter touch), light filtration. The oak adds texture and spice without dominating; the altitude preserves the bright acidity that makes Areni Noir work so well at the table. Decanter's Caroline Gilby MW scored it 89 points — \"pomegranate, dried cherry, and spice; firm structure with a long finish\" — and Karen MacNeil matched that score. At $25, this overdelivers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr style=\"margin: 0;\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePAIRINGS :\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003eBraised lamb with herbs and dried apricot\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003esour cherry mirrors the apricot; tannins cut the fat — the classic regional pairing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003eKhorovats (Armenian grilled skewers)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003echar and smoke amplify the earthy, spiced mid-palate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003eAged Manchego or Pecorino\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003efirm tannins and volcanic mineral finish work with salt and fat in hard cheese\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Massanois","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":62566144704671,"sku":"8471","price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/eastsidecellars.com\/products\/zulal-wines-vayots-dzor-areni-750ml","provider":"Eastside Cellars","version":"1.0","type":"link"}