Tag: wine

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 Red Wines: Noe

Lebanese Wines: Noé 2012

Chris Khatsch1 Comment

Name: Noé 2012
Type: Red Wine
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Grenache
Year: 2012
Country: Lebanon
Region: Bekaa Valley
Date Consumed: November 19, 2023

I got this bottle from Ardoum Winery. The winemaker explained that they would never make the Noé again because the grapes they used to make the blend weren’t from their own vineyards. From now on, the winemaker explained, they would focus on producing wines made with their own grapes, and they’d be calling them Ardoum. Therefore, it can be said that this was the first and last time I would uncork a bottle of Noé.

The 11-year-old wine slid into my glass, blood-red. I took a sip, worrying that it had passed its prime, but it was still good. I could definitely taste the years. Ferric notes lingered on my tongue for a long moment after I swallowed my first sip. I took a second sip to study its structure, and then a third sip to say goodbye.

Lebanese Wines: Aurora Cabernet Franc 2018

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Name: Aurora – Cabernet Franc 2018
Type: Red Wine
Grapes: Cabernet Franc
Year: 2018
Country: Lebanon
Region: North Lebanon

Experience

Date Consumed: February 22, 2023

A wine that tastes like aged lust wrapped in satin.

Imagine a beautiful woman sitting cross-legged on dewy grass,
watching the night sky, letting the time pass.
Listen to her laughter
right after
she gives you the middle finger.

The wine plays with your tongue.
Fondling.

Something silky, ferric,
with hints of strawberry.
The taste of soft, bitten lips.

A kiss.
A false goodbye.
An image, a memory
of what could have been.