Château Ksara Le Prieuré 2020
A delicious earthy blend whose spicy black fruit flavours are reminiscent of some of the best wine from France's Southern Rhône valley. A ruby hue, with aromas and flavours of black and red fruit, spice, liquorice and garrigue.
The grapes were hand-picked, harvested and destemmed. The Cinsault is briefly vatted to keep the freshness, the Caladoc and Mourvèdre are kept longer time to extract the aroma and spices, while the Carignan undergoes long skin contact to achieve length and elegance. After malolactic fermentation, the juice rests in concrete tanks for 14 to 18 months before blending.
A heritage red blend, named after the winery’s landmark belltower, that harks back to the founding Jesuits who made it in the same concrete tanks in which the grapes are still fermented to this day.
| RRP | £17.00 |
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Alcoholic strength | 13.5% |
| Serve with | cheese and salads as well as hot and cold meats, stews, pies and mezze |
| Country | Lebanon |
| Region | Bekaa Valley |
| Grapes | Carignan, Cinsault, Mourvèdre and Caladoc |
| Body | C |
| Contains sulphites | Yes |
| Vegetarian | Yes |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Milk | No |
| Eggs | No |
| Organic | No |
| Biodynamic | No |
Château Ksara is Lebanon's oldest winery. Its traditions can be traced back to 1857 when a group of Jesuit monks acquired the property. The Jesuits applied their knowledge of science and agriculture to plant French vines as well as developing two kilometres of Roman caves that proved ideal for the storage of wine. The Jesuits sold the winery to its current owners in 1973. Ksara is now the most modern winery in the region as well as the largest producer in the country. Their annual production is over 2.8 million bottles and they sell their wines in more than 40 countries worldwide. Château Ksara is certified ISO 9001 and ISO 2200.00 for its viticulture, production and sales guaranteeing quality and consistency year on year.
Ksara's vineyards are located in the central and western Bekaa Valley at high altitudes. The Bekaa enjoys dry summers and has the advantage of its own natural water table, courtesy of the melting snow that runs off the Lebanon and AntiLebanon mountain ranges; therefore no irrigation is needed in the vineyards. The slopes on either side of the valley and the valley itself create a unique microclimate in which the cool nights compensate for the hot summer days.
