Massaya Terrasses de Baalbeck 2021

On not very close examination, you may have spotted the Rhône blend here, and that of course is no coincidence. Because although this wine is made by the infamous Massaya in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon, the ancient cradle of wine making in the Levant, the close links between Massaya and the South of France come courtesy of M Daniel Brunier from Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe in Châteauneuf du Pape. So far so good.

With such good pedigree, we would expect great things, but this wine surpasses all expectations. It is truly silky elegance and robustness in a bottle, making every sip a tribute to Lebanon’s winemaking heritage.

Crafted at the Tanaïl winery, this wine is a meticulous labour of love. Grapes are hand-picked from 20-year-old vines growing at over 1,000 metres above sea level. After careful sorting and full de-stemming, they undergo a 20- to 30-day fermentation in temperature-controlled oak vats. Maturation continues for 20 to 22 months in large oak vats, adding depth and structure. The wine is bottled without fining or filtering, preserving its purity and authenticity.

To boot, it is also a restaurant wine of note. Thanks to Sami Ghosn (Massaya's owner) and his amazing relationships around the world, The wine occupies pride of place on some wonderful wine lists in London and New York.