Domaine des Tourelles, Vieilles Vignes Cinsault, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon 2019

Faouzi Issa has been making this 100% Cinsault from the domaine’s old vines since 2014. It has an enticing, smoky nose of red fruits with hints of garrigue and aniseed. Ripe and strikingly fresh in the mouth, with a tangy, herby intensity. Great underlying structure with plenty of rich, slightly confit fruit, but also bright, elegant and balanced, with a surprisingly delicate quality. Great example of how expressive, even refined, Cinsault can be in Lebanon. Good value too. Well worth seeking out.