Wines from the Heart of Lebanon
LEBANESE VINEYARD SELECTION
North Metn, Jezzine, Bekka Valley, South Metn, Byblos Mountains
www.lebanesewines.co.uk WELCOME ADYAR
…they shall blossom like the vine; their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon. The Holy Bible Hosea 14:7
With a great understanding of all of the “My recent visit to Lebanon was a real wine producers of Lebanon, our team eye-opener. I expected to find great food demonstrates expert local knowledge and well made, but hefty red wines, so mixed with London on- and off-trade I was not prepared for the diversity of experience. We know how to meet the terroirs and wine styles. Red wines made needs of our winemakers and importers. mostly from French varieties dominate, We seek out great Lebanese winemaking with some excellent Bordeaux-style talent who are unique, commercially blends, as well as Rhone-style and some driven and committed to export growth Bordeaux-Rhone hybrids. I was surprised and facilitate them in the UK. From well- and pleased to find a few intriguing wines known international varietals to unique using Italian varieties and even Touriga Mediterranean styles, Lebanon offers Nacional. White wines remain a relatively great price points and good variety. rare commodity though those that All wines are new to the UK market and are made are well balanced with some seeking opportunities with importers potential. Rose is increasingly popular. or on-trade. It is gratifying to find another ‘old’ wine Lebanese Vineyard Selection represents country, stepping up and making modern, Following thousands of years of tradition ADYAR’s organic wines are cultivated by monks Lebanese growers and offers buyers Mediterranean wines.” in eight different regions across the country. Each region has a specific climate and a peace of mind. We work with UK based topographical properties that make each bottle of ADYAR very special. Headed by French Lebanese natives who speak the language, Peter McCombie MW winemaker, Frederic Cacchia, ADYAR’s mission is to embed heritage, interpret terroir understand local customs and have and express this understanding in their wines. strong relationships within the Lebanese A pioneer in Organic Winemaking and Organic agriculture in Lebanon, ADYAR, or wine industry. Monasteries in Arabic, was born from the historical bond between viticulture, agriculture We are committed to making business and monastic life. ADYAR carries the tercentenary heritage of the Lebanese Maronite work seamlessly, with a professional attitude Order. The monks preserved this heritage and they provide consumers with a noble range and smooth processes for everyone. We of Organic food and Wine. offer a selection of wines, which are all vetted by Peter McCombie MW, and offer a great opportunity for UK importers. AWARDS Monastère de Mar Moussa 2012 – Silver The Lebanese Wine Selection Team International Organic Wine Award 2016
EXPORT MARKETS Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy, USA
www.lebanesewines.co.uk 3 ADYAR WWW.ADYAR.ORG.LB
1. Expression Monastique 2. Inspiration
Year: 2013 Year: 2016 Varietal: Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Varietal: Muscat Petit-grain, Viognier, Sangiovese Roussane Alcohol: 14 % Alcohol: 14 % Ex Cellar: 6.5 € Ex Cellar: 7 € Quantities Available: 40000 Quantities Available: 7000
A bit evolved, quite ripe, quite open; like Attractive, subdued grapiness, with the palate more than the nose, smooth, a gently savoury note; textural palate, fruity. some spice, some mushroom and forest Moderate acidity, has real personality. floor, good solid wine. Peter McCombie MW Peter McCombie MW
3. Rose L’Aube 2016 4. Monastére de Maad 5. Monastére de Mar Moussa Year: 2016 Year: 2012 Varietal: Syrah, Mourvèdre, Sangiovese Varietal: Tempranillo Year: 2012 Alcohol: 13.8 % Alcohol: 14 % Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Ex Cellar: 7 € Ex Cellar: 10.5 € Syrah, Petit Verdot Quantities Available: 7000 Quantities Available: 3000 Alcohol: 14 % Ex Cellar: 18 € Med depth, pink; strawberries, rose hips, Quite evolved, volatile style, spicy, Quantities Available: 5000 meaty/earthy, quite spicy, almost herbal; tobacco; evolved, ripe, smooth with some cherryade, strawberry etc, fruity but quite bite. Medium acidity, smooth tannins. Savoury and berryish, some sexy perfume, dry. Very good. Peter McCombie MW some development; plenty of acidity and Peter McCombie MW rich tannins, brambles, berries, hedgerow, chunky, rich, structured. Very good. Good example of warm climate winemaking. Peter McCombie MW
4 5 CHATEAU HERITAGE WWW.CHATEAUHERITAGE.COM
6. Chateau 7. Family Reserve
Year: 2011 Year: 2012 Varietal: Syrah, Cabernet-Sauvignon Varietal: Syrah, Cabernet-Sauvignon Alcohol: 14 % Alcohol: 14 % Ex Cellar: 8 € Ex Cellar: 15 € Quantities Available: 10000 Quantities Available: 5000
Big, rich, spicy dense, on second look, Savour and spice, black fruit; rich powerful, there’s something herbaceous/hedgerow; style, firm, fine tannins, plenty of alcohol, rich, some tautness, dark, quite ripe fruit, good balance and length. Impressive. fine tannins. Very good. Peter McCombie MW Peter McCombie MW
In 1888, the Touma Family established one of the first wineries and distilleries in Lebanon 8. Rose d’Une Nuit 2016 9. Plasir du Vin in the small town of Kab-elias of the Bekaa-Valley to produce wine and Arak Touma, the national Lebanese drink. Year: 2016 Year: 2016 Continuing the success of the Touma family with their Arak Touma, the Heritage Winery Varietal: Grenache 31 %, Carignan 32 %, Varietal: Cabernet-Sauvignon, Cinsault, was established and released its first modern wines in 1997. Cinsault 32 %, and Syrah 5 % Syrah Situated in the heart of the Bekaa-Valley of Lebanon, created from a selection of the finest Alcohol: 13 % Alcohol: 14 % grapes of the Bekaa-Valley, it preserves the traditions of wine making passed on through Ex Cellar: 5.5 € Ex Cellar: 5.5 € four generations of the Touma family. Quantities Available: 10000 Quantities Available: 25000 The Philosophy behind Heritage wines is based upon four major elements. Firstly, best- in-class vineyard cultivation. Secondly, making use of the old experience and winemaking Lightly fruity, hint of pot pourri, quite dry, Nice use of oak, subtle vanilla and spice, secrets passed over three generations of wine makers. Thirdly, mastering the use of some grip. Good in the dry style. though they build on finish, relatively the state-of-the-art wine making technologies, and finally, expressing their passion and Peter McCombie MW smooth. Medium acidity, medium body, enjoyment of Lebanon and wine production. medium tannins. Quite commercial style, well made. AWARDS Peter McCombie MW Chateau 2011 – Silver IWC 2016
EXPORT MARKETS Germany, France, Italy, Holland, UK
7 CHATEAU HERITAGE KARAM
10. Chateau Heritage 9
Year: 2016 Varietal: Cinsault, Cabernet-Sauvignon, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Tempranillo, Grenache, merlot, Cabernet-Franc Alcohol: 13 % Ex Cellar: 4.50 € Quantities Available: 25000
Dark fruit, lively, good balance. Peter McCombie MW
This winery is located in the Bible blessed terroir of Southern Lebanon. With vines planted at an altitude of 1300m all varieties are exclusively planted by KARAM Wines. Karam’s mission is to diversify the taste of Lebanese wines. Karam Wines is the story of two brothers who grew up amid their ancestral vine estate in southern Lebanon. Intrigued by the planes he saw flying over their land, the elder brother grew up to be an airline pilot. The younger brother’s passion for vineyards and their products urged him to become a successful grape and fruit merchant and wine importer and distributer in the US. Later on as a magical result Karam Wines was born.
RECENT AWARDS St John 2012 – Gold, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2017 Gold, Selections Mondial des vins Canada 2016
EXPORT MARKETS Ivory Coast, Germany, Belgum, USA
8 9 KARAM WWW.KARAMWINES.COM
11. Arc-en-ciel 12. St John 15. Cloud Nine
Year: 2016 Year: 2012 Year: 2016 Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Varietal: Muscat, Viognier, Sauvignon blanc, Pinot Noir Merlot, Touriga Nacional Semillon Alcohol: 12.4 % Alcohol: 12.6 % Alcohol: 12.7 % Ex Cellar: 5.60 € Ex Cellar: 8.40 € Ex Cellar: 7.3 € Quantities Available: 2500 Quantities Available: 16500 Quantities Available: 11000
Fresh, delicately fruity, some floral and Plenty of Cabernet Sauvignon expression Green toned fruit: greengage, plums, fruity, herbaceous hints; lighter on its feet, very with floral notes; lively palate, mid hint of tropicality; medium weight, clean fresh, some delicacy, again, quite dry. weight, some firmness though not super acidity, some texture and decent length. Refreshing acidity. high tannins, theres a slight rusticity to Peter McCombie MW Peter McCombie MW the tannins which I don’t mind. Peter McCombie MW
13. Syrah de Nicolas 14. Thouraya
Year: 2013 Year: 2013 Varietal: Syrah Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon Alcohol: 12.9 % Alcohol: 12.7 % Ex Cellar: 6.90 € Ex Cellar: 7.60 € Quantities Available: 6000 Quantities Available: 6000
Youthful, dark, quite primary and raw Fresh, good varietal typicity, dark fruit, even; attractive vitality, still edgy structure brambles, very fresh, alive, youthful. Ripe, with marked acidity and firm tannins. firm, present tannins, good acidity. Peter McCombie MW Peter McCombie MW
10 11 CAVE KOUROUM WWW.CAVEKOUROUM.COM
16. Petit Noir 17. Rose
Year: 2015 Year: 2016 Varietal: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Varietal: Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault Grenache, Carignan Alcohol: 12 % Alcohol: 14 % Ex Cellar: 3.1 € Ex Cellar: 2.8 € Quantities Available: 10000 Quantities Available: 30000 Medium pink; fruity, raspberry, cherry Youthful and fruity, quite primary, juicy, confit, touch of savoury/reductive some good firmness. complexity; fruity, quite dry with fresh Peter McCombie MW acidity, medium weight, nice. Peter McCombie MW
In the heart of the Bekaa Valley, 1000 meters above sea level on the slope of the Barouk 18. Merlot 19. Petit Noir Mountain lies the village of Kefraya. Known for many decades as a major supplier of grapes to be used in wine production, the village remains the traditional annual meeting Year: 2016 Year: 2014 place of the wine merchants in search of grapes. After years of being a grape grower Varietal: Syrah, Mourvèdre, Sangiovese Varietal: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and merchant for other wineries, Bassim Rahal finally realised his passion for wine making Alcohol: 14 % Grenache, Carignan, Cinsault by starting his Cave Kouroum winery in 1998. Ex Cellar: 6 € Alcohol: 145 % Covering an area of 7500m2, this ultra modern winery features the latest technologies, Quantities Available: 6500 Ex Cellar: 2.8 € allowing an annual productions capacity of 4 million litres. This state of the art winery Quantities Available: 50000 is gaining a reputation for growing high quality grapes and producing world class wine. Clean, ripe Merlot aromas, just a little leafy/herbaceous; bright fresh fruity style, Bit more primary black fruit, with slight quite appealing, Some pleasing firmness earthy reduction. RECENT AWARDS on the finish. Good length. Peter McCombie MW Merlot 2016 – Commended, Decanter 2017 Peter McCombie MW Petit Noir 2014 – Bronze, Decanter 2015
EXPORT MARKETS France, Belgium, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, Czech Republic, USA, Canada, Mexico
12 13 CAVE KOUROUM OUMSIYAT
20. Merlot
Year: 2009 Varietal: Merlot Alcohol: 14.5% Ex Cellar: EUR 6 Quantities Available: 5000
Smoky big ripe style Merlot, quite commercial. Peter McCombie MW
Following in the footsteps of four generations of winemakers, the Bou Sleiman family are very the embodiment of local values. Accumulated over 4 generations, their expertise is in balancing respect for tradition and the constant improvement in the quality of its wines. Covering an area of 78 hectares, we are able to introduce new varieties as well as nurturing our traditional grapes.
EXPORT MARKETS France, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, China
14 15 OUMSIYAT WWW.CHATEAUOUMSIYAT.COM
21. Oumsiyat Jaspe 22. Syrah 25. Rouge Desir
Year: 2013 Year: 2014 Year: 2015 Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Varietal: Syrah Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Syrah, Carignan Alcohol: 14 % Syrah, Tempranillo Alcohol: 13.5 % Ex Cellar: 4.85 € Alcohol: 11.50% Ex Cellar: 2.1 € Quantities Available: 25000 Ex Cellar: 1.60 € Quantities Available: 80000 Quantites Available: 250000 Riper, big, berried style, smoke and spice; Cabernet fruit pushes through on nose, quite powerful though retaining freshness Warm ripe fruit, with hint of bake, not over sweet spice, some black fruits and ripe red and vitality alongside power and weight. ripeness though; fruity, though not a fruit pepper, firm, but medium weight and ripe Peter McCombie MW bomb, hint of sweet spice, medium weight, tannins. Just a touch of edge and rusticity, medium structure, nice drinking wine. Not gutsy and a bit grunty. Trace of smoke in flashy, but good. the empty glass. Peter McCombie MW Peter McCombie MW
23. Rose Soupir 24. Sauvignon Blanc
Year: 2016 Year: 2016 Varietal: Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc Alcohol: 11.5 % Alcohol: 12 % Ex Cellar: 1.60 € Ex Cellar: 2.1 € Quantities Available: 250000 Quantities Available: 60000
A foody, medium pink rose; fresh, Not hugely varietal, but clean and strawberry; quite full, weighty, some texture lightly fruity; dry, medium weight, again and slight grip. Something saline on the a little texture, marked acidity, some finish. length. Not flashy. Peter McCombie MW Peter McCombie MW
16 17 Tripoli H RT Chekka NO
Batroun
Byblos VALLEY
N BEKAABaal bek Jounieh
Keserwan Beirut Zahle Metn -LEBANO Chtaura MOUNT Chouf
Sidon Jezzine Rachaiya
Altitude (meters) TIYE 2000-3000 m Cities
Tyr H NABA 1000-2000 m Wine regions SOUT 500-1000 m 200-500 m
Sea level-200 m N 0510 15 20 km
Designed byRaphael Angelina Contact me personally if you’re interested in knowing more about these producers.
Lilla
Lebanese Vineyard Selection 02078 594 042 www.lebanesewines.co.uk [email protected] 48 Whittington Rd, Brentwood CM13 1JX