Stefan Dolhain

8.8

2019 vintage. Chardonnay from the Ventoux region. The label states "altitude wine", which makes one imagine a slightly higher altitude than the 200 to 300 meters where these grapes are grown. No malolactic fermentation, no oak. Nice clean perfume of white peach and flowers. Not very complex, but round, pure and crisp. Good length too. Terrific value at 7.90 euro. — 7 hours ago

Stefan Dolhain

7.9

2018 vintage. Chardonnay /Viognier blend. Clean, if unexciting. Not bad, but tastes a bit diluted. — 6 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.0

2011 vintage. This is the top wine of this estate and it's a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah (and not Cinsault /Carignan as mentioned). Bekaa Valley. Aged 12 months in French oak barrels. Deep colour. Blackberry fruit, spicy oak and a hint of violets. Powerful tannic taste with ripe black fruit and well-integrated oak. Still holding back, so ideally would give this a bit more bottle ageing. Very good and great value at 23 euros. — 8 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

8.8

2017 vintage. Rosé de saignée from cabernet franc (60%) and syrah. Attractive strawberry nose with a hint of roses. Serious rosé with good fruit concentration, purity and length. Highly recommended. — 11 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

8.8

2018 vintage. A blend of Grenache (75%), Syrah (20%)and the remainder Carignan. Smells like fresh herbs and pomegranate. Juicy and spicy with good tannic grip and more than decent length. Amazing value at 7.90 euro. Highly recommended for the price. — a day ago

Stefan Dolhain

2013 vintage. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Carignan and Grenache. No score provided as the cork seemed suspicious. — 6 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

8.9

Note: "Grande Cuvée" is only used for the 100 % Syrah wine of this estate. This is a Syrah /Cabernet Sauvignon blend (50/50) from 20 - 25 years old vines in the Western Bekaa Valley at high altitude (1050 meters above sea level). Aged 18 months in French oak barrels (one third new). Dark colour with little evolution. Nose dominated by cedar wood (arguably not a bad thing symbolically for a Lebanese wine). Concentrated dark slightly jammy fruit, good acidity and a lot of oak. Even if the wine doesn't dry, I feel that this could be amazing with a lighter oak handling. Very nice, potentially great wine. — 7 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

6.1

2018 vintage. 70% merlot, 30% cabernet franc. Evolved transparent red, looks much older. Timid vegetal nose. Diluted fruit on alcohol (14,5 abv). Can only hope that this is a bad bottle. — a day ago

Stefan Dolhain

8.4

2016 vintage. This is a wine from the "négoce" branch of the owners of Château Maucaillou. It used to be called "Le Bordeaux de Maucaillou", but in 2019 they got condemned and fined for misleading commercial practices as it suggested it was related to Chateau Maucaillou (which it isn't). Therefore, it is now labeled "Le B par Maucaillou", which is probably as confusing in export markets as before. But anyway, this is a well-made commercial fruit-driven Bordeaux with fresh acidity with an impression of toasted oak in nose and finish. A good value crowd pleaser at about 10 euro. — 5 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

8.7

2017 vintage. Most comments here are about the red, but this is the white. Hard to find out about the blend, on the website it only says that it's muscat à petits grains based. Some say also bourboulenc, viognier, verdejo and clairette. Muscat obvious in the nose, but well-balanced. Light, fresh and not overly aromatic. Good value. Abv. 12%. — 10 days ago