From: Bekaa valley, Lebanon
Blend: 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Syrah, 15% Cinsault, and 5% Carignan
Taste: The 2020 Tourelles Rouge exhibits a captivating blend of ripe blackberries, cherries, and plums, along with hints of spices like black pepper and anise. The bouquet also showcases a distinct earthiness, reflecting the sandy clay limestone and heavy clay soils of the Bekaa Valley, and subtle notes of dried herbs, leather, and crushed stones.
Upon first taste, this wine delivers a full-bodied, rich, and velvety experience. The palate reveals a harmonious balance of ripe dark fruit flavors, like blackcurrant and black cherry, intertwined with notes of tobacco, licorice, and a touch of minerality. The tannins are well-integrated and supple, while the natural acidity provides a refreshing lift. The finish is long-lasting and elegant, leaving a lingering impression of warm spices, dark fruit, and earthy complexity.
Pairing: This versatile wine pairs well with a variety of dishes due to its rich fruit flavors and balanced structure. Opt for dishes with grilled or braised meats, such as beef, lamb, or pork, to complement the wine's fruitiness and tannins. A well-seasoned roast chicken or duck would also make an excellent pairing, as would dishes with earthy ingredients like mushrooms and eggplant.
For a regional pairing, consider serving this wine alongside traditional Lebanese dishes such as kibbeh (ground meat with bulgur, onions, and spices), kafta (grilled ground meat skewers), or shawarma (slow-roasted marinated meat). Check out the kibbeh recipe by David Tanis below.
For a vegetarian option, consider pairing the 2020 Domaine des Tourelles Rouge with a hearty vegetable stew, a lentil-based dish like mujadara (rice, lentils, and caramelized onions), or a Mediterranean-inspired dish like ratatouille. The earthy, robust flavors of these dishes will complement the wine's fruit and spice characteristics, while the wine's acidity will help to cleanse the palate and enhance the overall dining experience.
Baked Lebanese Kibbe
By David Tanis
About. The estate Rouge from Domaine des Tourelles represents a classic blend – 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Syrah, 15% Cinsault, and 5% Carignan – that many associate with the red wines of Lebanon but with the added twist of being entirely fermented and aged in the estate’s old concrete tanks. This makes for a lively and expressively aromatic wine that honestly reflects the hot summer days and cool nights of the Bekaa Valley. It is released in early spring to preserve its juicy dark fruit.
Wine details
ORIGIN Lebanon
APPELLATION
Bekaa Valley
SOIL Sandy clay limestone, heavier clay soils
AGE OF VINES 15–20
ELEVATION 1050 meters
VARIETIES Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Carignan
FARMING Practicing organic
FERMENTATION Hand harvested, natural yeast fermentation in concrete vats, 10 day maceration
AGING 3 months in concrete vats
VEGAN yes
