A Little Bit Of The Mediterranean

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(Photo courtesy of Massaya)
 
Jungle Jim’s International Market.  For the wine department, it’s almost obligatory that we bring you wines from all over the world.  It’s what we do.  We are a mecca for nationalities from everywhere who work and live here in the Tri-State, and it’s always a treat to meet winemakers and luminaries from places you might not often think of when it comes to wine, like Sami Ghosn from Lebanon’s Massaya.

For the locals, I am not referring to Lebanon, Ohio, which is maybe 20 minutes from either of our stores, but the country Lebanon, located next door to Israel along the Mediterranean shoreline.  Dating back to the Phoenicians, there is a remarkable winemaking history going back thousands of years.

Sami came to visit us a few weeks ago, and brought with him the fantastic wines of his family’s estate (previously a distillery for the the local distillate, Arak) in Tanail in the Beqaa Valley, which Sami and his brother Ramzi restored after returning to the region just after the Lebanese Civil War. 

Up first, we tried the Massaya Rosé 2015, 40% Cinsault, 30% Syrah and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and fermented in stainless steel vats, this was a pretty, dry rosé with bright red berry and pomegranate notes, a bit of rose petal in the nose and finishing with light acidity.  A great little blush.

Then we got to the Massaya Le Colombier Rouge 2015, a unique blend of Cinsault, Grenache Noir, Syrah and Tempranillo.  Looking back it was a bit reminiscent of a Rioja – earthy, dry with lean red fruit and mineral – yet there was a juicy character to it that was a bit New World as well.  Definitely the value of the bunch.

We followed with the Massaya Cap Est 2013, a 50/50 blend of Grenache Noir and Mourvedre.  Drinks very much like a Chateauneuf du Pape, with bold, rich notes of dark red fruits, pepper, truffle and duck fat.  Could see this with roasted lamb.

The Massaya Terrasses de Baalbeck 2012 is a blend of Grenache Noir, Syrah and Mourvedre that harkens to a Vacqueryas from Southern Rhone.  It shows dark cherry, anise and roasted game notes, earthy and dusty, with a firm grip of tannins.  Pretty impressive.

And we finished with their limited release, the Massaya Gold Reserve 2010.  Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvedre and Syrah, this is a powerful red blend, drawing parallels between Bordeaux and Chateauneuf-du-Pape that are expressive, complex and nuanced with its dark-fruited prowess and layered notes of earth, leather and tobacco.  A home run in every sense of the word.

These wines have been in and out of the market over the years, but until now, I hadn’t had the opportunity to try.  Aside from the wines of Chateau Musar and Kefraya I haven’t seen any other producers from Lebanon in the market.  We don’t currently stock these but look for some of them in the near future.  And hopefully, we can get Sami back for a store tasting in the near future as well.