Myst de Château Kefraya 2011

The beach and roof tops season has begun in Beirut. It is in those kinds of places that I discovered Myst a few years ago.

In the garden of the Hangout, laurels have flourished, in dazzling and evocative pink and white…

I hadn’t tasted Myst for a long time, considering it more a party wine than a food wine. But the season and the colors all around inspired me. Myst’s pink and lightly shimmering silver color blends in perfectly well with the scenery. The notes of melon and tangy currents make you bite into freshness. Appetite comes with eating, and the tuna Ceviche that I was presented with made it better… always better…

Semper Ultra! As would the Count say…

* Vin de la Semaine : Myst de Château Kefraya 2011 (Rosé)

La saison des plages et des roof tops a démarré à Beyrouth, et c’est précisément dans ces endroits que j’ai découvert Myst il y a quelques années déjà.

Dans le jardin du Hangout, les lauriers ont fleuri, du rose et du blanc plein la vue ! Evocateur !

Ca faisait longtemps que je n’avais pas gouté Myst, le considérant plus comme un vin de fête, de sorties, pas vraiment de repas. La saison, les couleurs alentours m’ont inspiré… Cette robe rose parfaitement soutenue aux reflets légèrement argentés se fond merveilleusement dans le paysage. Ces belles notes de melon mariées aux arômes de groseilles et de cassis bien acidulés vous font croquer dans la fraicheur. L’appétit vient en buvant, et le thon cru en Ceviche qu’on m’a servi le rendait encore meilleur… toujours meilleur….

Semper Ultra…. Comme dirait le Comte !

Ksara Blanc de l’Observatoire 2011

Sitting in a garden blooming with flowers, not far from the Mediterranean Sea, at the corner of a table in the shade, seeking freshness… In front of a rucola salad, topped with shaved Parmesan and thin slices of Bresaola, seasoned with lemon and virgin olive oil… I felt like drinking a dry mineral wine, I longed for scents of citrus and spices, for the taste of yellow fruits, of peaches and pears...

Memories surfaced and Blanc de l’Observatoire emerged as an obvious choice. First, for the white Sauvignon, dominant and strong but balanced with the roundness of Clairette and Muscat. Second, because one cannot evade Ksara: it is an integral part of the modern history of Lebanese wine, and has successfully established itself, both on the national and international markets, as a key player of the regional wine industry. Third, because Ksara takes its name from the word Ksar - the “Castel Franc” - the fortified castle, solid and firmly rooted in its Bekaa, declaring that in Lebanon, the Vine, as much as the Cedar, deserves national recognition.

* Vin de la semaine : Ksara Blanc de l’Observatoire 2011

Un jardin fleuri en Méditerranée, un coin de table à l’ombre, à la recherche de fraîcheur. On me sert une salade de roquette, des copeaux de parmesan, de la Bresaola finement tranchée, citron et huile d’olive vierge.

J’avais envie d’un vin droit, sec et minéral, aux effluves de citron et d’épices, aux saveurs de fruits jaunes, de pêche et de poire. C’est dans ces moments que les souvenirs vous reviennent et que le Blanc de l’Observatoire s’impose comme une évidence. D’abord par le Sauvignon Blanc, dominant, tranchant mais qui trouve son équilibre avec la rondeur et la longueur de la Clairette et du Muscat. Ensuite, parce qu’on ne peut éviter Ksara, qu’il se confond avec l’histoire contemporaine du vin libanais, qu’il a su s’imposer aussi bien sur le marché national qu’a l’étranger comme un acteur majeur de la filière dans la région. Enfin, parce que Ksara, qui tire son nom du mot Ksar, le Castel Franc, le Château fortifié, se veut solidement et durablement enraciné dans sa Bekaa comme pour nous dire qu’au Liban, le Cep de vigne, autant que le Cèdre, mérite la consécration nationale. 

— with Château Ksara.

Cadet de Ka Rouge 2008

I was twelve years old when the advertisement for Kassatly Chtaura was constantly on television. For those of my generation, it is an enchanting music, a staging of One Thousand and One Nights that will forever remain in our memories…

In Lebanese minds, the Kassatlys are inseparable from Chtaura and the Bekaa. Wine thus naturally became a necessity for the family, albeit a little late; it has somehow always been present, both as a challenge and part of its identity.

Coming from one of the Bekaa’s largest domains, Cadet de Ka has the difficult task to be the entry level wine of the range. But it stands there gracefully, with an exquisite faithfulness to the name that it was given. Conveying spring, subtlety and minerality, the Cabernet-Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah trilogy does wonders. 

Chilled, with cold cuts or grilled meat, the Cadet is crunchy, it has Karacter! It is rebellious, charming, but solidly rooted in its soil: the Kassatlys can be proud of their Kadet!

* Vin de la semaine: Cadet de Ka Rouge 2008

J’avais 12 ans. La publicité Kassatly Chtaura passait en boucle a la télévision. Pour ceux de ma génération, c’est une musique enivrante, une mise en scène des Mille et une nuits qui reste gravée dans nos mémoires.

Les Kassatly sont indissociables, dans l’inconscient libanais, de Chtaura, de la Bekaa. C’est donc naturellement que le vin s’est impose a la famille, certes un peu tard, mais il a, d'une certaine manière, toujours été présent, comme une nécessité, une identité, un défi. 

Issu de l’un des plus grands domaines de la Bekaa, le Cadet a la lourde charge d’ouvrir la gamme, et il le fait avec panache, joliment fidèle au nom qui lui a été donné. Printanière, souple, minérale, la trilogie Cabernet-Sauvignon, Merlot et Syrah fait des merveilles. 

Rafraichi, sur des charcuteries ou des grillades estivales, le Cadet a du croquant, du Karactere. C’est un vin frondeur, charmeur et enraciné: la famille Kassatly peut être fière de son Kadet !

Ourjouwan Rouge 2011

I will be forever grateful to Najib Moutran.

First, because he was, for a long time, my tasting companion; and when I returned to Lebanon in July 2011, he generously made me discover the Lebanese vineyards.

Second, because he created a wine that expresses the national terroir in a perfect manner. It is light, fresh, crispy, right what it should be: a red wine that you will enjoy chilled on a hot summer day. 

Third, because he named his wine Ourjouwan (purple in Arabic), which is the beautiful and precious dyeing colour that made the fortune of the Phoenicians along with wine, reminding us how wine is precious and inseparable from our history.

I will be forever grateful to Najib Moutran, because he is my Friend.

* Le Vin de la semaine: Ourjouwan Rouge 2011

Je serai à jamais reconnaissant à Najib Moutran.

Tout d’abord parce que ce fut longtemps mon compagnon de dégustation et que lorsque je suis rentré au Liban en juillet 2011, c’est lui qui m’a très généreusement emmené à travers le vignoble libanais.

Ensuite parce qu’il a conçu un vin qui exprime à merveille le terroir du pays: légèreté, fraicheur, croquant, justesse... Un rouge très agréable à boire rafraîchi par ces premières journées de chaleur.

Enfin parce qu’il a donné à son vin le nom d’Ourjouwan (pourpre en arabe), cette belle teinture précieuse qui a fait la fortune des Phéniciens autour de la Méditerranée tout autant que le vin, comme pour nous rappeler combien le vin est précieux et indissociable de notre histoire.

Je serai à jamais reconnaissant à Najib Moutran, parce que c’est mon Ami.

Cheers! ~ Salim.

Adyar Inspiration Blanc 2012

It is the second holy week of the year in Beirut. That has certainly guided my choice of a wine made in a Monastery, by the Cooperative Adyar of the Lebanese Maronite Order. It is a group of eight monasteries in three different regions (Batroun, Metn and Chouf), where farmlands are exclusively cultivated in an organic way.

Inspiration, In Spiritum, holding God in oneself: with such a setting, we are definitely in the sphere of the Divine!

It is a white wine, made from rolle, chardonnay and a majority of small-seeded muscat - 3 varieties blended in one wine: definitely Divine! There are notes of white flowers, of angelica (again!), the mouth is fresh and crispy, and a lasting taste of musk reminds us that we are in a Southern country.

It is an excellent companion of light meals, of nice summer salads, vegetarian dishes, or grilled white meat... So take a deep Inspiration, be Inspired and drink Divine!

* Le Vin de la semaine: Adyar Inspiration Blanc 2012

C’est la deuxième semaine Sainte de l’année a Beyrouth. C’est surement ce qui m’a inspire pour choisir un vin de monastère, la Coopérative Adyar de l’Ordre Maronite libanais, regroupant 8 monastères sur 3 régions différentes (Batroun, Metn et Chouf) qui travaillent exclusivement en agriculture biologique.

Inspiration, In Spiritum, avoir Dieu en soi : le décor est plante, on est dans le Divin !

C’est un blanc, du rolle, du chardonnay et une majorité de muscat a petits grains, 3 cépages assembles pour faire un vin, décidément !

Des notes de fleurs blanches, d’angélique (encore !), une bouche croquante et fraiche, une finale musquée bien prononcée qui nous rappelle que nous sommes un pays méridional.

C’est un vin qui met en valeur les repas légers, les belles salades d’été, les plats végétariens, les viandes blanches juste grillées, alors prenez votre Inspiration, soyez Inspires et buvez Divin ! — with Adyar.

Oumsiyat Soupir Rose 2012

It was evening. It had finally stopped raining after a gray week of winter in the middle of April. I longed for Spring, for softness, for a little sea breeze and gardens full of flowers... I wanted to be away.

I sat wondering how I could fulfill that desire or ease my yearning... Then a name inspired me: "Soupir d'Oumsiyat", a breath, a sensual emotion, a moment of music in an enchanting evening. The bottle was beautiful, the colour splendid, the label just right: I had found what I was looking for!

The shrimps were fleshy and juicy, perfectly grilled, the side of ratatouille and the rice had a subtle perfume of Spring that matched both my mood and the wine!

The three grape varieties, Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault, glittered in the midst of it all, playing acidic and exotic notes: How amusing!

This bottle must be drunk until the last...breath!

* Le Vin de la semaine: Oumsiyat Soupir Rose 2012

C’était le soir. La pluie avait enfin cessé au bout d’une semaine éprouvante. J’avais envie de printemps, de douceur, de brise marine, de jardins en fleur. Je voulais partir…

Comment assouvir mes envies, comment accompagner mon Spleen ?

C’est le nom qui m’a inspiré, Soupir d’Oumsiyat : un souffle, une émotion sensuelle, un moment de musique dans une soirée enivrante.

Et puis la bouteille est belle, la couleur splendide, l’étiquette juste ce qu’il faut, alors je me lance !

Les crevettes étaient charnues, juteuses, bien grillées, accompagnées d’une ratatouille tout aussi printanière que mon humeur et d’un riz subtilement parfumé.

Les trois cépages, Syrah, Grenache et Cinsault frétillaient au milieu de tout cela, jouant des notes tantôt acidulées, tantôt exotiques…Amusant !

A boire jusqu’au dernier Soupir !

Ixsir Grande Reserve 2009

Have you read The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho? It is the story of a

young shepherd from Andalousia who, after a recurrent dream, headed to

the East for a treasure hunt... And that treasure hunt became, with

the help of an alchemist, a spiritual quest of his own self, of his

dreams and destiny. This story is a little bit that of Gabriel Rivero,

the spanish winemaker who embarked on a journey which, with the help

of Hady Kahale and Naji Seikali, led him to Batroun, where he is

making Ixsir. What a beautiful adventure!

The quest of Arab medieval alchemy was that of a liquid substance

named "Al-Iksir", or "Ixsir", that would allow for the transmutation

of base metals into gold. What a magical name for a wine! I am sure

that when the three friends, Gabriel, Hady and Naji, thought of a name

for their project, they thought of magic, of alchemy, of dreams and

ambition.

It is precisely amibition that characterizes the domaine today, the

will of using the most modern techniques to enhance the natural

quality of the Lebanese terroir, and it works!

The Cabernet-Sauvignon and Syrah blend is the one I prefer, and that

is the reason why Ixsir Grande Reserve 2009 seduces me. Its oaky and

soft spicy notes, associated to the strength of red berries, give it a

strong Mediterranean character that brings me joy. But above all, I

must admit that I like to think of myself as an alchemist when I open

a bottle of Ixsir Grande Reserve... — with IXSIR.

Monastere St Jean – Cuvee Zakher 2010

The fog was slowly lifting from the sea towards the Metn mountains. It was early morning in Khonchara, above Bickfaya, and one could barely see the Monastery of Saint John. Then, out of the watery mist, the pine forest appeared and, in the middle of it, the terraced vineyards... How beautiful you are, oh Mediterranea!

Abouna Charbel, the winemaking monk, was quickly harvesting the grapes before the weather became too hot. He was telling me the story of Abdallah Zakher - a layman who brought the first printing press with Arabic letters to the Monastery in 1720, to whom he pays homage with his wine. "The Cuvée Zakher is pure blackberry!", he said with a tremendous enthousiasm, as always when he talks about his wine.

But there is also pine resin, incense, spices and freshness... How good you taste, oh Mediterranea!

Cheers ~  Salim.

Nakad - Coteaux de la Bekaa - Blanc 2010

I sat under the medlar tree in front of the Nakad family house, in Jdita - Bekaa, with Salim, the family Patriarch: white hair, white moustache... a true postcard! 

He talked about nature, about how, the day before, a bird was pecking a ripe grape; how the bird then became dizzy, probably drunk, and lay down a little before flying away again... What a beautiful story!

The maturity of the grape is also that of the winery. Since 1923, three generations have shared the same passion, a passion for vines, nature, soil - a passion for wine.

The white wine that Jalal, Salim's son, has created is a blend that was never tried before in Lebanon: Sauvignon, Clairette and Bourboulenc. Bourboulenc gives it floral notes, Clairette vigour and a touch of nervousness, and Sauvignon provides it with notes of grapefruit and passion fruit. A perfect equilibrium.

There is also a medlar tree on the terrasse of the Hangout. I often sit beside it and will no longer forget to drink a glass of Nakad white wine there: "to your health, Salim Nakad!"

Cheers ~ Salim.

Les Emirs 2008, Chateau St Thomas

The princes of the Lebanese mountains - Maan, Chehab, Fakhr el-Dine... - have shaped the identity of the country. Chateau St Thomas pays them a tribute with this very special cuvee.

The Touma family knows that wine is the roots of a country, the expression of its terroir, the heritage of its history. They created a very nice blend, with a little note of Grenache that adds fruit and spices to the body. The grenache blends fabulously with the balsamic vinegar sauce of the duck breast that I had for lunch today. Les Emirs 2008 adds freshness and crispiness to the tannins and strength of the Bekaa wines... It is the East, the Thousand and one nights, and the Emirs can be proud of their Emirate!

Cheers ~ Salim. with Chateau St Thomas - Lebanon

Chateau Khoury Rosé de Rêve 2011

Paris 2010, first encounter with Jean-Paul Khoury.

Salim: So tell me, Jean-Paul, why isn't there any Rosé in your range of wines?

Jean-Paul: I don't like Rosé wines!

A few years later, he still hasn't changed his mind but has created Rosé de Rêve, a little gem... What would it be if he started liking Rosé?!! 

Instinctive, young, passionate and talented, Jean-Paul is a major asset in the lebanese world of winemaking.

A beautiful acidity, notes of strawberry, freshness... it is Spring found in a glass, what a treat! 

Cheers ~ Salim  _ with Chateau Khoury 

Marquis des Beys 2009 - Domaine des Tourelles

Tourelles, a Marquis, Pierre-Louis Brun... The Domaine des Tourelles clearly claims its French heritage: Cocorico in the land of the cedars!

One hundred and fifty years of winemaking in the Beqaa could lead us into believing that that wine estate is aging. But with Fawzi Issa and Emile Issa El Khoury who are directing it today, a dynamic and youthful wind is blowing over the Beqaa valley. They offer us wines that are rooted in their terroir, combining the elegance of oriental wines and the freshness of Lebanese crus.

Taste the spices, red berries, liquorice and subtle wood notes...roundness and delight.

The Marquis des Beys 2009 tells the story of Lebanon: that is exactly what nobility is. — with Domaine des Tourelles.

Cloud Nine by Karam Winery

Once you have met Habib Karam, you will never forget him. This extraordinary colourful character is a plane pilot, passionate for wines, good food, beautiful cars, ... I will stop there! Passionate for life, in other words.

You will never forget Karam wines either, once you've tasted them: wines which resemble their makers are extremely rare! Habib karam, a pioneer of winemaking in Southern Lebanon, has succeeded in creating a fresh white wine, Cloud Nine, with notes of citrus and passion fruit in a region that everybody viewed as more suitable for red wines. 

I tried it with our grouper (Merou) and its citrusy rice, and I adopted it!

Cheers!~ Salim. — with Karam Winery®.

Château Marsyas 2009

We knew the Marsyas of Greek mythology, a little satyr who challenged Appolo to a concert of music, clearly revealing the influence of Dionysos, the god of wine who used to sip it while listening to Muses sing… 

We now know Marsyas, the wine of the Saade family. Karim and Sandro composed this harmonious melody in the beautiful village of Kefraya, with the help of Stephane Derenoncourt, one of the most famous flying winemakers of the wine planet. 

They succeeded in combining the modern character of great international crus with the Middle Eastern tradition, thus reflecting their solid family anchorage in the region. 

With this exceptional red wine, you will taste the Beqaa Valley itself, which was called the Marsyas Valley in ancient times. — with Château Marsyas.

Domaine de Baal 2009

Certainly one of the most talented winemakers of his generation, Sebastien Kounry has chosen Dhour Zahle to grow his organic grapes. He delicately tunes wines that are like himself, elegant and generous. Try Domaine de Baal white 2009 or 2010, and you will surely taste what Lebanon gives best!

Cheers! ~ Salim