Category: Lebanese Wines

Review of Ainata Reserve Cuvee 12, a wine from Lebanon

Lebanese Wines: Ainata Reserve Cuvee 12 2013

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Name: Ainata Reserve Cuvee 12 2013 (by Chateau Salomon)
Type: Red Wine
Grapes: Not Mentioned
Year: 2013
Country: Lebanon
Region: North Lebanon
Date Consumed: December 3, 2025

This bottle has a bit of a story for me. It was made by a friend’s family, and for the past three years it’s been sitting quietly among our other wines. It’s one of those bottles you keep meaning to open, but somehow never do.

A few days ago, however, while my wife and I were reviewing our wine inventory, trying to pick our Christmas lineup, we said it was finally time to see what it had become.

And I’m glad we uncorked it.

The Ainata Reserve Cuvée 12 turned out to be a surprisingly confident wine, full-bodied and delicious. And for its age, it tasted quite young.

Lovely.

Review of the wine from Lebanon Domaine des Tourelles Carignan Vieilles Vignes 2021

Lebanese Wines: Domaine des Tourelles Carignan Vieilles Vignes 2021

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Name: Domaine des Tourelles Carignan Vieilles Vignes 2021
Type: Red Wine
Grapes: Carignan
Year: 2021
Country: Lebanon
Region: Bekaa Valley
Date Consumed: December 4, 2025

Although not my favorite grape, the 2021 Carignan from Domaine des Tourelles is a straightforward expression of Lebanese Carignan. It is dry, medium-bodied, with medium tannins.

Typical Carignan notes greet you as soon as you take your first sip. You’ll easily find red cherry, raspberry, and the like, and then comes a light touch of earthiness and licorice.

The (unripe) red fruit acidity is there and lends the wine a brighter, slightly lean character.

Overall, it’s a simple and unpretentious Carignan, and there’s not much else I can say about it.

Review of Chateau Nabise Reserve, a wine from Lebanon

Lebanese Wines: Chateau Nabise Reserve 2011

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Name: Chateau Nabise Reserve 2011
Type: Red Wine
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah
Year: 2011
Country: Lebanon
Region: Rechmaya, Mount Lebanon
Date Consumed: December 2, 2025

A smooth, medium-to-full-bodied red wine from Mount Lebanon that seems to have aged nicely. The 2011 reserve from Chateau Nabise is a great bottle for anyone who wants a mature wine experience without the premium price tag. I’m happy I tried it. I’ve been wanting to try another wine by Nabise ever since I had the Chateau Nabise 2005 last year. Good stuff.