Latakia, Syria
Grand Vin de Syrie
A gorgeous Mediterranean blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that spends time in new and used French oak barriques. The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation and élevage before enjoying a 14-month slumber. Afterwards, the wine is bottled and spends 4 more years aging before release. This is a ripe, full-bodied and fruit-driven red. Cassis, blackberry and plum assemble to greet your palate like old friends, with a tight embrace. There's baking spice, white pepper, black olives and even a touch of truffle in the background. A hit of minerality appears suddenly, while fine, velvety tannins lead the processional through the long structured finish. It's a warm wine, with spiciness and elegance.
Serve with rack of lamb, kofta or kibbeh. Not sure how to make the last two? Hit up a local Middle Eastern grocer to find these delicious treats for your next lunch/dinner.
More Info
An estate on the slopes of the Coastal Mountain Range in Syria, only 220km north of Beirut, is home to what The Telegraph called "the world's most dangerous wine". To say that this estate faces adversity in producing wine would be an all-time understatement. Set aside the historically bad civil war that has decimated Syria. That, in and of itself, would be nearly an insurmountable obstacle. Let's focus on the Islamist rebels who have targeted this vineyard on multiple occasions. As you can imagine, in a Muslim-majority country, the production of alcohol is strictly prohibited. The brothers who run this estate have not been able to cross the border from Lebanon to visit. Simple things like winery equipment and spare parts are extremely difficult to source and have to, effectively, be smuggled in by taxi. Samples of grapes and the finished wines have to make the drive down the coastline to Beirut, while avoiding checkpoints and extra-judicial confiscations. The winemaking is done over the internet. Nevertheless, this is an astonishing area for viticulture. And a historic one, too. These areas recall biblical times, with winemaking existing for thousands of years.