2019 | Massaya | Terrasses de Baalbeck

Attractive ruby hue of medium depth. A nose of fresh scrubland with a hint of jujube, while its finesse and elegance are clear as soon it touches the palate.

Producer Information

Massaya is located in the northeast of the Bekaa Valley, in the hills of eastern Lebanon. It is one of Lebanon's most prominent wine producers, making wines from classic French varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Cinsaut, among others. The Massaya estate was revived in the 1990s, following Lebanon's long civil war. The Ghosn family had owned the land prior to 1975, but after the outbreak of war, the vineyards had been damaged and production halted, and the family had fled to the United States. The winery, cellars and vineyards were rebuilt and repaired with help and inspiration from France – specifically from winemakers Dominique Hébrard and Hubert de Boüard of Bordeaux, and Daniel Brunier of Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe in the Rhône Valley. Together, the Hébrard and Brunier families own 30 percent of Massaya with the remaining share retained by the Ghosn family. Arak, a traditional drink in the region made from distilled grape must was the first product to be revived and has become the cornerstone of Massaya's portfolio. Indeed, the name Massaya means "twilight" in Lebanese – a reference to the blue colour of the sky at this time of day, which matches the colour of Arak. The Arak itself is made from the native Obaideh grape variety, and is distilled three times alongside organic anise from Syria. It is then rested in clay amphorae for a few months before being released to market. Massaya also makes numerous blended wines from a range of grape varieties, with proportions depending on vintage. The Terrasses de Baalbeck is one of the top wines, and is a classic Rhône blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. These grapes are hand-harvested from vineyards on mountain foothills towards the northeastern end of the Bekaa Valley (most winegrowing and production is based further south), and is vinified and then aged in large foudres instead of smaller barrels. The house makes a range of other wines with silver or gold labels denoting reserve-level wines. The Classic range, which encompasses red, white and rosé expressions represents Massaya's entry level. Massaya has two wineries. The main site in Tanaïl, some 50km (30 miles) east of Beirut, produces red wines and arak while a higher-altitude site in Ouyoun el Simane, 50km north of Tanaïl (and close to the ski resorts of Mzaar and Faqra) is given over to white wine and rosé production.

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