Karas Reserve Areni Sireni

KARAS 2022 ($18.50). There is a great deal of activity and investment in Eastern European vineyards, and the Eurnekian family’s Karas is one of Armenia’s foremost wineries, dedicated to growing the country’s native grape, Areni, in the volcanic soil of the Armavir region. (There are remains of a winery dating to 4,000 BC.) Its propagation makes up 60% of the grapes used, with the other 40% Sireni. It is a dense, very dark wine, and I thought it was going to be inky and tannin. Yet, although it has a richness of body and minerality, it is very well balanced with acidity. Ideal with lamb or goat.