Country - Lebanon

Region - Bekaa Valley

Grape Varieties - 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah

Alcohol by volume - 14.5%

Bottle - 75cl

Passion and heritage has been passed down through the Bou Sleiman family for four generations. When Joseph Bou Sleiman took over the reins at Château Oumsiyat, he blended respect for local tradition with modern techniques to craft contemporary wines. A passionate vine grower, Joseph also built a modern winery in the village of Mtein, where he creates wines that are a fusion of Old World and New World. The grapes are grown in the 78 hectare vineyard, situated at over 1,000 metres elevation in the beautiful Bekaa Valley, between Mount Lebanon to the west and the AntiLebanon Mountains to the east. The altitude, microclimate and soils combine in this ancient terroir to produce fresh wines with a very Mediterranean “feel.”

The fruit was carefully sorted to ensure only healthy, ripe grapes were vinified. Traditional vinification took place in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures of 28°C with selected yeasts. Pigeage or punching down of the cap took place for the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Syrah in the blend, in order to gently extract tannins. A long post-fermentation maceration took place to extract colour, flavour and impart structure to the wine. Made without oak influence, the Merlot delivers ripe fruits, the Cabernet Sauvignon adds body and mid-palate texture while the Syrah adds structure and spicy notes.

Rich and robust, with ripe red fruits enveloped in spicy aromas. On the palate, this is a savoury and earthy wine with warm and expressive flavours through to a long, satisfying finish.