Château Ksara Reserve du Couvent (2017)
A beautiful red wine from Lebanon’s oldest winery.
Lebanon might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think about wine. Regions like Bordeaux, France, or Tuscany, Italy, usually take that spot, but as a country with some of the longest histories in winemaking, it’s a winemaking region that absolutely should be on your radar. The country has been producing wine for thousands of years, and it’s a history that often gets overlooked.
If you’re curious about Lebanese wine (or just want to try something a bit different), Château Ksara is a great place to start.
About Château Ksara
Founded in 1857 in the Bekaa Valley, Château Ksara is widely regarded as Lebanon’s oldest winery. It was originally established and run by Jesuit monks for over a century before being taken over by local ownership in 1973.
Today, it remains one of the country’s leading producers, known for balancing tradition with a more modern approach to winemaking. This combination of heritage and innovation is central to its identity and reflected across its range.
Château Ksara Reserve du Couvent (2017)
A blend of 40% Syrah (Shiraz), 30% Cabernet Franc and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and aged for six months in French oak, the Château Ksara Réserve du Couvent is a deep ruby red with an ABV of 13.5%. On the nose, there’s a mix of dark fruit and a touch of vanilla from the oak, with blackcurrant and cherry coming through most clearly.
That carries through on the palate, with flavours of blackberry, blueberry and cherry at the forefront. It’s medium-bodied with a smooth, almost silky texture, and soft tannins that keep it easy to drink without feeling overly simple. While it has a certain weight to it, it’s still very much in line with Château Ksara’s description of fresh and vibrant.
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I’m not really a wine drinker but this does sound delish! I may have to give this a try at some point. Thanks for sharing Xo
Elle – ellegracedeveson.com
Glad to hear that you like the sound of it – even if you aren’t a big wine drinker 🙂 x
Love the idea of wine Wednesday! We all need wine midweek right? I will keep an eye on this wine! Always on the look out of good reds as I mostly just like whites before. Thanks!
We absolutely do haha! Glad you enjoyed the review x
Blackberry, cherry, and vanilla make this sound like one of my favorite of your Wine Wednesday reviews yet! I love that its drinking experience is smooth and silky, vibrant and layered. I can imagine drinking this with freshly-caught venison too, on a warm night with plenty of fireflies out and about.
Thanks for sharing!
Oooh I love that – I can completely envision sitting outside on a warm night drinking this! x
I don’t think I’ve ever had a Lebanese wine but this one sounds amazing! i’ll see if I can locate some here in Canada. Thanks for sharing.
This one definitely set the standard for me! I can’t wait to try more 🙂 x
This sounds like a lovely red wine! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
It most definitely is! 🙂 x
I’ve not tried this wine before but it sounds brill and I love your full review on it xxx
So happy you enjoyed the review! It’s a really brilliant wine 🙂 x
This sounds like a great wine – the fruit & vanilla combo in the tasting note just make it the perfect summer drink! Plus – I am a sucker for labels and this one is just simple yet beautiful! I loved reading about the winery’s history. Thankyou Faye x
Haha I’m with you there – the label is so stunning! Glad you enjoyed learning about the winery’s history 🙂 x
I’m always up for trying new wines to diversify my palette and this one sounds lush x
So happy to hear that you like the sound of it! x