Chateau Musar, Levantine, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon 2018

Intense colour in a wine marked by its sweet spice aromas, with notes of cassis and plum and a slight vegetal touch that is not disagreeable. It is fresh and warm in a suave, easy-going style. This is a distinctive wine, and more approachable when drunk young while it keeps its primary fruit character.

From low-yielding vines at 1,000m, Grenache shows its warm, high-toned herbal note here, alongside Cinsault's juicy berry fruit and sweet baking spices. It has good concentration, mouthcoating tannins and fresh acidity. One to enjoy in its youth with chargrilled meats and Mediterranean vegetables.