Chateau Ksara is one of Lebanon’s wine estates that is woven into the country’s history. And the region’s wine making history includes a Roman temple dedicated to Bacchus. The wineries in the region are a testament to the resilience of the Lebanese people and wine makers. 

Jesuit monks started modern wine production having recognised (or re-recognised) the valley’s potential.  The estate at Chateau Ksara dates back to 1857. The monks’ wine production was for their own consumption in what is now Lebanon’s oldest winery. 

However, by the start of the 1970’s they were producing around 85% of Lebanon’s commercial wine production. These monks took care to photograph that early history of the winery. And thanks to Michael Karam, we can see these on the photorientalist.org site. Michael has also written about this history in his books.

The Bekaa Valley

Bekaa Valley sits between two mountain ranges at the 1000 m in altitude. The valley is very close to the Syrian border. This brings a high diurnal temperature range to give the vines that needed rest from heat overnight. These altitudes ensure the wines retain their fresh acid and build complex flavours and aromas. 

The Estate’s history is not just significant to wine. In 1902, the estate became the site of an observatory. The first for that particular region of the world. The monks worked that observatory until the late 1970s when the Lebanese government became the custodians. After the observatory fell into disrepair, it became a home. 

Ksar is thought to refer to the fortress that is the wine estate is formed around. 

The Estate

Since the winery was sold in 1973, the owners, group of investors, have ensured that this piece of history has been in safe hands. The surrounding vineyards are filled with a wide variety of grape varieties from French classics such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Viognier, Syrah to unusual varieties such as Caladoc and Marselan. It is, of course, not just French grape varieties found there. 

Chateau Ksara also produce a white wine from Merwah grapes.  Merwah is a Lebanon speciality white wine. As an indigenous grape it has been well used for both wine and for Arak. It is no surprise then that Chateau Ksara is also an Arak producer of some renown.

Arak is, of course, the drink made from both grapes and aniseed. The Chateau’s Merwah is organically grown on 60 year old vines, in vineyards at 1600 metres above sea level, in North Lebanon.

Of course, it is no surprise that the Chateau Ksara’s wines are made with food in mind.

The wines: 

Chateau Ksara Merwah 

redrick123This is a fruity white wine with intense concentration. It had just a brief time resting on lees which has added some savoury spice to the wine. It is dry, but it is a rather fleshy fuller in body wine. The melon, peach and redolent citrus blossom has a lemon balm freshness. That freshness is gets an extra boost with a flush of soft acid and the fruit has a mineral stony edge. The lingering flavours of ginger, peach and lemon zest keep you reaching for another glass.  

Chateau Clos St Alphonse Blanc 

A white blend of grapes including Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat (check Comptoir website). This is a very food friendly white wine that offers up a spicy almalgam of peach, lemon, mineral and a hint of cumin. It is smooth and medium body, long and spicy. 

Chateau Ksara Chardonnay Cuvee du Pape

This is a savoury, creamy Chardonnay from the Bekaa Valley. The wines have been aged partially in new and one year old oak for around 8 months. To get that creaminess, the wine remains on lees with lees stirring regularly (battonage).  The result is a spicy, nutty lilt to classic citrus and stonefruit characters. It is medium bodied with fresh acid underlining that creamy nuttiness. The wine finishes with some lush vanilla and cinnamon spice and lemon.

This Chardonnay wine sells with some cellar age already. It goes without saying that this is a good indication of the age worthiness of this wine.

To read more about lees, please read What are Lees?

Chateau Ksara Cabernet Sauvignon

A rich Cabernet Sauvingon that is superb with spiced lamb kebabs where the tannins work with the lamb. The wine has spent around 12 months in French oak (50% new oak). The typical blackcurrant and cassis fruit has some spice and herbs to add complexity. There is also a whiff of smoky bacon savouriness. It is a smooth, lingering and bold wine that retains plenty of elegance. 

Chateau Ksara Sunset Rosé 

What a versatile rose! It is fruity and dry in style, it drips with ripeness. As the name suggests, it is a rosy pink colour. The winemaker’s use the saignee method to make this rosé. This means that the Cabernet Franc and Syrah grapes and much of the skins, pulp and must will go on after a short maceration time to produce a rich red wine. The juice for the Sunset is diverted to make this fruity rosé. Spicy cranberry and strawberry fruit are abundant here. It has some shapely tannins, is fuller in body and is longer in length. 

This rosé can be enjoyed over dessert as well as savoury morsels.

Also see Chateau Ksara Gris de Gris Rosé

For more visit chateauksara.