Vieilles Vignes Carignan

Carignan has existed in the Bekaa Valley for over two centuries and has proven to be a variety in full harmony with the Lebanese terroir. In 2018, Domaine des Tourelles decided to introduce Carignan to its family of old vines wines (over 50 years old) in an effort to reconnect with our special Mediterranean identity.

Region: Vineyards are located in the Western Bekaa.

Altitude: 1,050 m (3,445 feet) above sea level.

Grape Varieties: Carignan (100%).

Age of the Vines: Above 50 years.density/ha: 3,000 vines/ha.

Soil: Clay with some limestone.

Treatment: Organic Without Irrigation.

Harvest: 100 % manual in boxes with intensive selection in the vineyards.

Vinification: Fermentation with indigenous yeasts in concrete vats.Malolactic fermentation starts spontaneously then the wine is aged for 2 yearsin concrete vats. This whole process witnesses minimal intervention which ends upreflecting closely the real identity of the terroir.

Alcoholic Strength: 14 % vol.

Tasting Notes : This wine is high in acidity with balanced tannins.The vinification and aging in concrete vats ensure that it can be drunk reasonably young.Along with the dominant flavors of cranberries and raspberries there are strong notes of liquorice and Mediterranean spices.

Food pairing : A wine that goes well with rich poultry (turkey or duck).It has also the rich structure to be enjoyed with red meat..

Vieilles Vignes Cinsault

Region: Vineyards are located in the Western Bekaa.

Altitude: 1,050 m (3,445 feet) above sea level.

Grape Varieties: Cinsault (100%). Age of the Vines : Above 50 years. density/ha : 3,000 vines/ha.

Soil: Clay with some limestone.

Irrigation: Dry Farmed.

Harvest: 100 % manual in boxes with intensive selection in the vineyards.

Vinification: Fermentation with indigenous yeasts in concrete vats for 10 days. Malolactic fermentation begins spontaneously. The wine is aged in neutral used French oak barrels for 8 months.

Alcoholic Strength: 13.5 % vol.

Tasting Notes: Cinsault has been farmed in the Bekaa Valley since the mid-19th century before ceding the way to new imported varieties. In 2014, Domaine des Tourelles decided to revive this grape by searching out very old Cinsault vines, over 50 years of age, and fermenting the wines in concrete tanks using wild yeasts and nothing else to offer the purest expression of that grape. The result is a supple wine that beautifully reflects the terroir of the Bekaa Valley, with an aging potential of several years.

Vieilles Vignes Merweh & Obeidi 

A blend of two indigenous Lebanese varieties that likely trace their lineage back to the Phoenicians, this wine is made from very old vines grown in altitude. 
Merweh vineyards are spread over the mountains of Bsharreh to the west of the Bekaa Valley at 1,400 m altitude, in amongst the famous cedars of Mount Lebanon. It is believed that these vines have not been pruned or treated for the last two decades, resulting in extremely low yields with concentrated flavours. Merweh is a resistant variety which has adapted very well to the Mediterranean mountain climate and ecosystem. The grapes were hand harvested. Due to the wild nature of the vines, ripening was uneven and required several passes and a skilled team to select only perfectly ripe grapes. Obeidi vineyards are grown on the hills of Zahleh - the capital of Bekaa Valley - at 1,100 m altitude. These vines are trained using a pergola system to ensure they enjoy the best sun exposure to reach maximum ripeness and balance in this late-ripening grape. Obeidi is a reliable and very resistant grape, considered to be the backbone of Bekaa Valley’s vines throughout its winemaking history.

Region: Vineyards are located in North Lebanon’s Bsharreh mountain (Merweh) and Western Bekaa Valley (Obeidi).

Altitude: 1,400 m (4,921 feet) above sea level for Merweh in Bsharreh and 1,100 m (3,609 feet) above sea level for Obeidi in Bekaa Valley.

Grape Varieties: Merweh (50%) and Obeidi (50%). Age of the Vines : Over 100 years for Merweh and over 50 years for Obeidi.

Yield/ha: 15 hl/ha for Merweh and 35 hl/ha for Obeidi.

Treatment: Organic without irrigation. Harvest : 100% manual in boxes with intensive selection in the vineyards.

Vinification: Both varieties were cold fermented separately, using wild yeast widely present in the winery. Once fermentation was complete, the wines were blended and stored for a short period of time in stainless steel tanks to keep the original freshness of the blend. Alcoholic Strength : 11 % vol.

Tasting Notes: The well-structured blend of these two grapes gives the wine its brilliant golden color. The nose has natural aromas of ripened grapes, apple skin and a mix of spices and herbs. Mineral and savoury on the palate, the wine shows notes of dried figs and fresh almonds on the finish.

Skin Wine

Region: Vineyards are located in Bsharreh region, North of Lebanon.

Altitude: 1,500 m (4,921 feet) above sea level.

Grape varieties: Merweh (all bush vines).

Age of the Vines: old vines (average of 150 years old).

Yield: 20 hl/ha. Soil: clay-limestone.

Irrigation: Dry Farmed.

Harvest: 100% manual in boxes with intensive selection in the vineyards.

Fermentation: Grapes are manually harvested early in the morning then transferred to the winery in separate boxes. Only ripened and healthy berries are separated from the peduncle (rafle) then moved into 200 l clay jars for slow fermentation. Regular punch-down (pigeage) is done to extract color, tannins, and structure for the final stage. Clear wine is finally separated at the end of the fermentation then aged in stainless steel vats for last treatment before bottling. Malolactic fermentation is inhibited in this wine to keep as much as possible a solid acidity in its structure.

Alcoholic strength: 11% vol.

Tasting notes: light amber in color. Rich in flowers, orange blossoms, jasmine, and tea on the nose. On the palate we can discern some smooth elegant tannins that come from the maceration with the skin, while displaying a taste of apricot, pears, and hints of saltiness and minerality.