Tag: wine review

Château Kefraya Les Exceptions Syrah 2018

Lebanese Wines: Château Kefraya Les Exceptions Syrah 2018

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Name: Château Kefraya Les Exceptions Syrah 2018
Type: Red Wine
Grapes: Syrah
Year: 2018
Country: Lebanon
Region: Beqaa Valley
Date Consumed: January 7, 2024

The occasional trip to Château Kefraya has never been a bad idea. Whenever I’m there, I get to try something special. And I usually go for the “Les Exceptions” bottles because you can’t find them elsewhere.

My favorite Les Exceptions bottle up until now is the Cabernet-Franc 2017 that I paired with the Cumpay Volcan Maduro cigar back in May 2022. But when I asked for it this time, they were out of stock. So, we tried the Syrah instead. And I’m happy that we did.

I got hints of red fruits, including strawberry, pomegranate, and cherry. It paired well with the full-bodied Oliva Serie V that I was smoking, and I was in great company, so there was nothing I could complain about.

I’d give it 80/100.

Ardoum Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Lebanese Wines: Ardoum Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Chris Khatsch1 Comment

Name: Ardoum Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Type: Red Wine
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon
Year: 2018
Country: Lebanon
Region: Mount Lebanon
Date Consumed: November 2023

Earlier this month, my wife and I visited the Ardoum winery. We were with friends, some of whom knew a thing or two about wine and others who knew nothing. But we were all there to celebrate a birthday and have fun.

The plan was to visit a winery and then have lunch somewhere that served Lebanese Mezza. It all went according to plan, and most of us ended up at a cigar lounge, smoking cigars and discussing philosophy.

The Ardoum winery is located in Mtein in Mount Lebanon and is relatively small. For its size, though, it had a decent selection of wines. Of all the red wines I tried, I like the Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 best. Therefore, it ended up being one of the three bottles we brought home with us.

The Ardoum Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 is a wine for casual gatherings and cozy nights. I opened the bottle we brought with us on a weekday while my wife prepared dinner. We both had a couple of glasses, one before and one during dinner.

Lebanese Wines: Aurora Chateau

Lebanese Wines: Aurora Chateau 2018

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Name: Aurora Chateau 2018
Type: Red Wine
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Year: 2018
Country: Lebanon
Region: North Lebanon
Date Consumed: October 18, 2023

Experience

Rain. Mid-October.
There’s no good news on the news, and
tomorrow could mean war.
In Lebanon, “tomorrow” has always been a treacherous place.
We don’t go there unless we have to,
and we always have to…

Rain. Mid-October.
October means
wine drinking season has begun.
My wife and I decide to cook a nice dinner together
and stay indoors.
I choose the wine.
I choose something nice.
Full-bodied, lustful,
stimulating, dark…

Something’s off.

It feels like I’m having champagne
at a funeral.