Tag: lebanese wine

Review of the Lebanese wine called Adyar Expression Monastique

Lebanese Wines: Adyar Expression Monastique 2018

Chris KhatschLeave a comment

Name: Adyar Expression Monastique 2018
Type: Red Wine
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Mourvedre, Sangiovese
Year: 2018
Country: Lebanon
Region: Batroun
Date Consumed: October 10, 2026

The first sip tastes like prayer.
More precisely, like receiving the Eucharist.
Then, I pour the second glass and a bouquet of notes
made from ripe red fruits and ripe black fruits
plays with my palate.
Now, the wine tastes like a poem
aged in a barrel, and
I can taste the darkness it was kept in.
I confess all my sins, and He forgives me.
I pour a third glass and thank God
for everything.

Revisiting Lebanese Wines: Chateau Kefraya Les Exceptions Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Chris KhatschLeave a comment

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.

Review of Chateau Oumsiyat Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Lebanese Wines: Chateau Oumsiyat Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Chris KhatschLeave a comment

Name: Chateau Oumsiyat Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Type: Red Wine
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon
Year: 2016
Country: Lebanon
Region: Mount Lebanon
Date Consumed: November 22, 2025

Chateau Oumsiyat’s Cabernet Sauvignon is an easy bottle to open on any night. It’s affordable, solid, and reliable. So, if you’re looking for a straightforward Cabernet character, something full-bodied with firm tannins, look no further.

Expect notes of black fruits, cocoa, and tobacco.

Pair it with red meat, grilled pork, or strong cheeses, and drink it by the fire. (‘Tis the season!) Personally, I think it goes really well with Lebanese-style home-cooked beefsteak and fries.

No big surprises here: just a confident Lebanese cabernet that does its job well.

Will I buy another bottle? Almost certainly. I’m also curious to know what it would taste like if I age it for a couple of years.

Verdict: This may not be the best cabernet sauvignon you can find in Lebanon, but I would say it’s one of the most convenient bottles in the market today.

Cheers!