About the Wine

Zulal—meaning pure in Armenian—was founded to give Armenia’s indigenous grapes their own voice, unfiltered by excess technique. Areni Reserve represents the estate’s most serious expression of the variety, sourced from high-altitude vineyards (4,500–5,700 ft) in Aghavnadzor and Khachik within Vayots Dzor. These volcanic, stony soils and dramatic diurnal shifts shape a wine of depth, tension, and longevity. The 2020 vintage carries added poignancy: during regional conflict, vineyard work continued at night to avoid danger—an extraordinary testament to commitment and continuity.

Tasting Experience

Colour
Dark garnet with depth and clarity.

Aroma & Palate
Aromas open with orange peel and dark fruit, moving into black cherry, cassis, and pomegranate. As the wine unfolds, spice emerges alongside dark chocolate, adding gravitas without heaviness. The palate is bright at first sip, then progressively structured, with subtle tannins that build and frame the fruit rather than dominate it.

Body
Medium to full-bodied, poised and controlled.

Finish
Long and lingering, where fruit, spice, and mineral tension resolve with quiet authority.

Why This Wine Matters

Vayots Dzor is one of the world’s rare regions untouched by phylloxera, allowing Areni vines—often own-rooted and decades old—to express genetic and site purity. Harvests here can extend into November; in winter, some vines are buried for protection. Areni Reserve distils this extremity into elegance. For Singapore drinkers, it offers a compelling alternative to familiar Old World benchmarks—structured, age-worthy, and unmistakably Armenian.

Food Pairings

International

• Grilled lamb or kebabs

• Game meats

• Dark chocolate desserts

Singapore / Regional

• Char-grilled meats

• Pepper-forward dishes

• Rich festive dishes (including mooncake with dark fillings)

Awards & Recognition

Widely regarded as a benchmark Reserve expression of Areni, praised for its structure, depth, and terroir transparency from high-altitude, volcanic sites. Frequently cited by educators and sommeliers as a reference for Armenia’s premium red wine potential.

Technical Details

Closing Line

Endurance, altitude, and heritage captured in a single bottle.