Author: Chris Khatsch

There must be a little art in everything I create, even if my creation is as cold as a machine and follows empirical data.
Lebanese Wine Review: Chateau Qanafar Petit Paradis 2019

Lebanese Wines: Chateau Qanafar Petit Paradis 2019

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Name: Château Qanafar Petit Paradis 2019
Type: Red Wine
Grapes: Syrah, Cabernet-Sauvignon
Year: 2019
Country: Lebanon
Region: Bekaa Valley
Date Consumed: March 8, 2024

Last night, we went to this nice place called Le Jardin Beirut. There was me, my wife, her sister, and a friend of the family. We were there for the live entertainment. The live entertainment was an old man with an acoustic guitar. He performed old songs that I love, including “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals, “Hey Jude” by The Beatles, and many others.

The four of us had three bottles of wine, and one of them was the Petit Paradis de Qanafar. While I did not like the Petit Paradis as much as I liked the Mago, I’d still be open to having it a second time to get to know it better. But it’s a good wine nonetheless, a little above average, too. I’d give it 73/100.

Adventura The Royal Return King's Gold Toro cigar review in Lebanon by Chris Khatsch

Have a Cigar: ADVentura The Royal Return King’s Gold Toro

Chris Khatsch2 Comments

Name: Adventura The Royal Return King’s Gold Toro
Country: Dominican Republic
Shape: Parejo
Size: Toro (6 inches x 54)
Strength: Medium to Full

I paired this excellent stick with excellent wines while enjoying good music and good company. It went best with the second bottle we opened, the cabernet-sauvignon.

Branding: Manly. Adventurous. The band reminded me of gold coins stored in the treasure chests. I liked the feel of it. And for some reason, Indiana Jones movies came to mind.

Construction: Good. No complaints.

Pre-light: Cocoa filled in rum barrels. Grilled green peppers. Marshmallows in a rainforest. Love in the backseat of an SUV.

Cut: Straight cut.

Burn: It burned nicely and evenly. I only had to adjust it once.

Duration: 90 minutes. The cigar burned at medium speed.

Draw: Near-perfect draw.

Smoke: Generous smoke. But not as thick as steam locomotive smoke.

Ash: Average.

Flavor: Cocoa, earth, wood, capsicum.

Review of Chateau Qanafar Mago 2018, a Lebanese wine.

Lebanese Wines: Chateau Qanafar Mago 2018

Chris Khatsch1 Comment

Name: Château Qanafar Mago 2018
Type: Red Wine
Grapes: Cinsault, Syrah, Cabernet-Sauvignon
Year: 2018
Country: Lebanon
Region: Bekaa
Date Consumed: March 6, 2024

A medium-bodied, well-balanced, low tannin wine. I got notes of red fruits and minute hints of tobacco and spices. It’s not a wine I would bring with me to a formal dinner, but it’s a wine I wouldn’t mind adding to my collection.

Although it does not require your full attention, the Mago is a wine with character. It has something to say. It is also easy to drink, so it’s perfect for wine nights, for times when you plan on uncorking more than one bottle. And trust me when I say that you will want to have a second glass.

It’s a wine that keeps the conversation going. It’s a wine that can produce laughter as well as memories.

I’d give it 87/100.