Massaya Le Colombier Red Blend 2018

$19.99, case price $17.99 (code: 12saves2)

The Massaya "Le Colombier" is a beautiful everyday winter red wine from the Bekka Valley of Lebanon. While the wine is from the a lesser know region for wine, it styled after the great wines of Bordeaux and the Rhone valley, making the Massaya a cost effective alternative to wines of the same quality from the classic wine regions of France. The Massaya Le Colombier is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, and Tempraniollo. It balances fresh and playful fruit character with beautiful spice and pepper notes. The Massaya Colombier is extremely versatile; lending itself to all kinds of meals from pasta and pizza to steak. My favorite pairing is a charcuterie and cheese - especially pecorino or Manchego.

LOCATION: grapes grown on the hillsides of the Beqaa Valley at 900 to 1,200 metres above sea level.

SOIL AND SUBSOIL: chalky clay

GRAPE VARIETIES: Grenache Noir 35%, Cinsault 35%, Tempranillo 30%

VINE AGE: 40 years on average

VINIFICATION: conducted at our Tanaïl winery. Grapes are hand-picked, conveyed in crates, and sorted on tables outside the vat room. They are fully destemmed, then undergo traditional fermentation for 20 to 30 days in stainless-steel vats.

MATURATION: in vats for 1 year. Bottled at about 12 months.

TASTING NOTES: a fresh, thirst-quenching wine for everyday drinking, distinguished by hints of spice and pepper. Drink when young to fully enjoy its fruit.