Coteaux du Liban
Chateau Red Blend
Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
2004 vintage. I had a bottle of this 2004 cabernet sauvignon /syrah/merlot blend before, and this bottle seems so much younger. As a reminder, this is the top wine of the estate, produced only in the very best years (2004, 2007 and 2010 up to now, with 2015 and 2017 in the pipeline) and released when it starts to be ready to drink. Complex nose with dark cherries, dried figs, tobacco and cedar wood. Harmonious taste, delicate cherry fruit, combined with subtle spices, fresh acidity and gently extracted tannins. Nice length too. Amazing value. Grows in the glass, take your time or decant.
2004 vintage. I had a bottle of this 2004 cabernet sauvignon /syrah/merlot blend before, and this bottle seems so much younger. As a reminder, this is the top wine of the estate, produced only in the very best years (2004, 2007 and 2010 up to now, with 2015 and 2017 in the pipeline) and released when it starts to be ready to drink. Complex nose with dark cherries, dried figs, tobacco and cedar wood. Harmonious taste, delicate cherry fruit, combined with subtle spices, fresh acidity and gently extracted tannins. Nice length too. Amazing value. Grows in the glass, take your time or decant.
Apr 24th, 20202007 vintage. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot. Take your time or decant, as these wines open up beautifully with air. After an hour in the glass, this 2007 seems to be in a perfect place today. Amarena cherries, cedar wood, herbs and dark chocolate, all balanced by fresh acidity. Could be mistaken for California. Superior to the Château Kefraya 2007, because of the quality of the tannins. Abv. 13 %. Incredible value at 20 euros. Too bad I could only get one bottle of this. Note: this wine is only produced in the best vintages: 2004, 2007 and 2010. The next vintages, yet to be released, will be 2015 and 2017.
2007 vintage. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot. Take your time or decant, as these wines open up beautifully with air. After an hour in the glass, this 2007 seems to be in a perfect place today. Amarena cherries, cedar wood, herbs and dark chocolate, all balanced by fresh acidity. Could be mistaken for California. Superior to the Château Kefraya 2007, because of the quality of the tannins. Abv. 13 %. Incredible value at 20 euros. Too bad I could only get one bottle of this. Note: this wine is only produced in the best vintages: 2004, 2007 and 2010. The next vintages, yet to be released, will be 2015 and 2017.
Apr 7th, 20202010 vintage. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot. Given the dramatic story of this estate (the owner died in 2009 and his brave pianist widow took over, with the help of her son who was only 14 years old at the time), it is amazing how they kept up quality. This 2010 is drinking beautifully now. Attractive nose with amarena cherries and cedar wood. Harmonious taste with a wonderful acidity balancing the slightly jammy amarena fruit and the well-integrated tannins. Good spicy length with retronasal fruit. Excellent value for 20 euros! Highly recommended!
2010 vintage. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot. Given the dramatic story of this estate (the owner died in 2009 and his brave pianist widow took over, with the help of her son who was only 14 years old at the time), it is amazing how they kept up quality. This 2010 is drinking beautifully now. Attractive nose with amarena cherries and cedar wood. Harmonious taste with a wonderful acidity balancing the slightly jammy amarena fruit and the well-integrated tannins. Good spicy length with retronasal fruit. Excellent value for 20 euros! Highly recommended!
Mar 31st, 2020Cabernet sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot. 2004 vintage. Unfortunately the founder of this estate (he started in 1999) died in 2009, and it was continued by his brave wife. Evolved colour. First impression in the nose made me believe it would be over the hill, but I had a nice surprise. The wine gets better in the glass, even in the nose, but it tastes much better than it smells. Dried fruits, cedarwood and cocoa. Well-balanced, mid-weight, it has some complexity and good length. Not unlike an older left bank Cru Bourgeois. Good food wine and great value since I paid 15 euros in 2020. Fascinating how these Lebanese wines can age.
Cabernet sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot. 2004 vintage. Unfortunately the founder of this estate (he started in 1999) died in 2009, and it was continued by his brave wife. Evolved colour. First impression in the nose made me believe it would be over the hill, but I had a nice surprise. The wine gets better in the glass, even in the nose, but it tastes much better than it smells. Dried fruits, cedarwood and cocoa. Well-balanced, mid-weight, it has some complexity and good length. Not unlike an older left bank Cru Bourgeois. Good food wine and great value since I paid 15 euros in 2020. Fascinating how these Lebanese wines can age.
Mar 20th, 2020
