RECOMMENDED - Decanter World Wine Awards 2010

Ksara Estate lies in the heart of the Bekaa Valley near Baalbeck, where the ruins of the Temple of Bacchus from the Greco-Roman era can be found. It is called Ksara because it was the site of a ksar or fortress at the time of the religious military campaigns. The property was acquired by the Jesuits in 1857 when it was already famed as a vineyard, and they maintained the tradition of winemaking on the estate. 

Climatic conditions in the Bekaa provide Ksara’s vineyards with exceptional advantages. There is almost no rainfall during the growing season and diseases seldom strike the vines. Their grapes can be considered to be grown organically because pesticides and herbicides are not used. Harvesting is done by hand, but there is no need for selection because the grapes achieve full ripeness without fear of rot.

Château Ksara is the largest producer in the Lebanon with 334 hectares and 38% of the local production.  

Grapes:        Syrah (55%), Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

Vinification:  The grapes are manually harvested, destemmed and transferred to vat for 12-15 days after fermentation.  The drawn-off wines and presses are separated, and then malolactic fermentation occurs. When the racking-off is complete, the noble grapes are matured in oak casks for 6 months while the others mature in vats. The wines mature for 12 months before being blended fined and bottled.

Colour:         Dark ruby red.

Taste:           A complex aroma of cloves, vanilla and mulberry. On the palate it shows an abundance of blueberry fruit with supple tannins giving it length and persistence on the palate.

Serve:          At 15-18°C with red meat and game. It can be cellared for 5 years.