Jaspe

2020 was an excellent vintage in the Bekaa Valley. A cold winter with high rainfall helped to build soil water reserves, which helped to nourish the vines during the hot, dry summer that followed. Pronounced temperature variations between the day and night, resulted in fruit with pleasing aromatic complexity.

Beqaa Valley, Lebanon

The vines are planted at an altitude of 1,000 meters above sea level, where the warm days are tempered by cooler nights. The summer diurnal temperature difference is 20°C, which encourages an extended ripening period, concentrating the flavors and aromatic complexity in the berries, while retaining balancing acidity from the cool nights. The soil is calcareous clay which is a cool soil that has good water retention properties to nourish the vines during the hot, dry summers. Due to its pH, calcareous clay soils tend to produce refreshing wines, which encourages further balance to the ripeness of fruit. The vines are cane pruned and are planted at a density of 4,000 vines per hectare. The vineyard is cultivated with respect for the environment and the grapes are hand-harvested at optimal maturity.

The fruit was carefully sorted to ensure only healthy, ripe grapes were vinified. Each variety was fermented separately in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures of 28°C with inoculated yeasts. Remontage or pump overs took place periodically to oxygenate the wine and extract tannins. Moderate post-fermentation maceration took place to extract color, flavor and impart structure to the wine. The wine went through malolactic fermentation resulting in a softer palate and was made without oak influence to showcase the purity of fruit. The wine was carefully blended with the Cabernet Sauvignon imparting black fruit flavors and mid-palate texture, the Syrah adding structure and spicy notes, the Carignan offering deep color and balancing freshness and the Cinsault a softness and aromatic notes. Gently filtered prior to bottling.

Intense and aromatic aromas of wild red and black fruits are overlaid with hints of black pepper spice. Beautifully structured on the palate, with well-integrated tannins enveloping the rich fruit through to a long finish.

Cabernet Sauvignon 30%, Syrah 30%, Carignan 20%, Cinsault 20%