Tag: Bekaa Valley

Review of the Lebanese Wine called Reserve Ammiq Pinot Noir

Lebanese Wines: Reserve Ammiq Pinot Noir 2021

Chris KhatschLeave a comment

Name: Reserve Ammiq Pinot Noir 2021
Type: Red Wine
Grapes: Pinot Noir
Year: 2021
Country: Lebanon
Region: Bekaa Valley
Date Consumed: April 6, 2025

Although, as you may know, I’m not the biggest pinot noir fan, my taste buds were fairly entertained by the elixir that came out of this bottle. The Reserve Ammiq Pinot Noir 2021 is a medium-bodied wine with soft tannins. The sip is a velvety bouquet of notes. It carries a balance flavors of blueberry, cherry, plum, mushroom, and earth. It can be served chilled on a hot summer evening with fruits, cheeses, pasta, or Lebanese mezza.

Would I purchase another bottle? Yes.
Would I keep one in the cabinet? No.
Would I age a bottle? No.
Would I suggest it to friends? It depends.

Review of the Lebanese wine Chateau St Thomas Les Emirs

Lebanese Wines: Chateau St Thomas Les Emirs 2018

Chris KhatschLeave a comment

Name: Chateau St Thomas Les Emirs 2018
Type: Red Wine
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Syrah
Year: 2018
Country: Lebanon
Region: Bekaa Valley
Date Consumed: February 26, 2025

An excellent, well-balanced, saporous blend. This smooth, full-bodied wine has the complexity and the necessary attributes to be the main wine of a feast. If you’re inviting family or friends for a Sunday lunch or dinner, you can open a few bottles of Les Emirs instead of the usual go-to Lebanese wines that you find on most Lebanese dining tables. I’d also pair this ruby red elixir with biftek, the easy-to-do straightforward Lebanese thin-sliced beef steaks that I frequently enjoy with the wife…

Reviewing Chateau Ksara's Old Vine Carignan Wine, vintage 2021.

Lebanese Wines: Chateau Ksara Old Vine Carignan 2021

Chris KhatschLeave a comment

Name: Chateau Ksara Old Vine Carignan 2021
Type: Red Wine
Grapes: Carignan
Year: 2021
Country: Lebanon
Region: Bekaa Valley
Date Consumed: February 21, 2025

A medium-bodied red wine that pairs nicely with Lebanese barbecue and mezza.

I like it, and it’s affordable, but let me tell you that it’s not the best Lebanese wine out there…

If you’re new to Lebanese wines, don’t start here. Not a lot of things can make up for a bad first impression.

Don’t get me wrong, though. Chateau Ksara’s Old Vine Carignan is not a bad wine. It’s just not a great wine. Therefore, it cannot speak on behalf of other Lebanese wines.

This Old Vine Carignan is merely a wine that I wouldn’t mind having occasionally in casual settings.

Drinking the Bacchic juice from this bottle, I got notes of red fruits, black fruits, and spices.

Overall, the wine was pretty smooth and easy to drink, but its acidity left citrusy traces in my throat.