Lebanon is not exactly a hopping wine destination. However as a former French colony, like Algeria, it does produce a limited amount of wine. Two of its wines are available at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario.
Château Ksara is perhaps one of the best-known labels at least here in Canada. And not surprisingly we have a wine from a French grape Carignan from the Bekka Valley.
Chateau Ksara was founded in 1857 by Jesuit monks and the wine is from 60-year-old vines wild fermented in the Jesuit’s original concrete tanks. The grapes were grown at an altitude of 1,200 metres.
First comment here is that it needs time to breathe as initially its nose can be a tad corky which is not always fatal but might spell trouble in a year or so. Decant for half an hour prior to serving. On the nose red cherry, dates, beet juice, cherry pie and blackberry jam.
On the palate tannins are low. There are notes of prunes, red cherry, red plums with somewhat of a peppery long finish. It is a wine of simplicity and would pair well with roast or grilled lamb or roasted butternut squash, carrots, potatoes drizzled with olive oil and some maple syrup and crushed almonds.
I would say drink this year.
(Château Ksara Old Vines Carignan 2018, Bekka Valley, Lebanon, Château Ksara, Bekka Valley, Lebanon, $20.95, Liquor Control Board of Ontario # 18221, 750 mL, 13%, Robert K. Stephen, A little birdie told me Rating 89/100).
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