Name: Chateau Kefraya Les Exceptions Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Type: Red Wine
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon
Year: 2016
Country: Lebanon
Region: Bekaa Valley
Date Consumed: September 5, 2026

Every time we visit Château Kefraya, we try at least one bottle from their Les Exceptions series. The main reason is simple: we can’t find Les Exceptions bottles anywhere else. So this time, and for a second time, we tried the single-varietal Cabernet Sauvignon from 2016, and my first impression was just… wow. Last time we had it was back in 2024.

In the glass, the wine has a deep ruby color, with brick-red tinges around the rim and a noticeable amount of sediment. The first sip introduces a harmony of dark fruit, licorice, cedarwood, and tobacco. The finish is long, leaving behind secondary notes of leather and black pepper.

After my wife and I emptied the bottle, I spent a moment wondering whether I should take one home. But our energetic 18-month-old toddler and restless dog made me forget all about it.