Domaine des Tourelles Red
This wine displays a fine heritage in the Bekaa Valley with many traditional methods being utilised to produce it, the predominantly French varietal grapes are 100% harvested by hand. The wine is an intriguing blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cinsault and Carignan. It is produced in concrete vats, rare in the Bekaa valley, then after approximately 10 days fermentation in concrete the wine is blended and aged in concrete vats for 15 to 18 months.
What does it go with?:
Red meats are a given of course but this wine is also perfect with a lamb casserole, a spicy stew or any rich meaty Mediterranean dish. If the sun does actually come out, through a rib-eye on the barbeque, pop the cork on this beauty, and…happy days!
Quotes from the Press:
2011 Vintage: “Claiming to be Lebanon’s oldest commercial estate, Domaine de Tourelles was founded by a Frenchman whose grandson made it famous in the 1960s with the production of arak (the anise-based spirit). This Cabernet Sauvignon, blended with Syrah and Cinsault, is much more seductive – and not just because of the price. The palate has silky tannins with vibrant red and black cherry fruit and spice characters and a lovely purity on the finish. It’s crying out for roast leg of lamb. Drink 2015 – 2018”.
2010 Vintage: “Plucky is the adjective that tends to describe Lebanese winemakers, working as they do in conditions that can be challenging for reasons other than the weather. But there’s more to the wines than the tale of their production. There’s real flair, for example, in this blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cinsault from the country’s oldest commercial winery, Domaine des Tourelles. Like many reds with French influence, it’s pitched in style between Bordeaux and the Rhône, with a bright cherry character and gently gripping tannins.” David Williams, The Observer, September 2013.
2010 Vintage: “Sparkling cherry colour. Warm notes, black cherry, liquorice, tobacco. Grippy little number, with good balance, long finish and a good price.” Judges Comments, The Wine Merchant ‘Top 50’ 2013.
2010 Vintage: “With violets on the nose alongside plums, berries and notes of oak, this is supple, juicy and balanced, with liquorice and spice alongside firm tannins, dried plum and hints of milk chocolate. Good with food.” Sommelier Wine Awards 2013, Judges Comments.
