Domaine des Tourelles Cinsault Vieilles Vignes

In 2014, Faouzi Issa released this cuvée, made exclusively from Cinsault – a grape ideally suited to the Bekaa’s hot, dry climate, and that Faouzi believes can produce great, long-lived wines. Previously, Cinsault was the backbone of Lebanon’s wine industry and the main grape in a cuvée last produced in 1976, before falling out of fashion.

The fruit comes from 50 year old vines grown in mostly dry-farmed, high elevation vineyards, 1,050 meters (3,445 feet) above sea level. The soil is clay, with a clay and limestone subsoil. The grapes are hand-harvested in small boxes. Fermented in concrete vats with indigenous yeasts, then aged in old oak barrels for 8 months. Minimum amount of sulfur is added at bottling. A profound nose with broad, dusty fruit overlaid by dried-spice flavors. Earthy but clean, persistent finish. An elegant red to serve with hearty dishes. 13.5% alcohol.