Wenlock Cellars
Tourelles Valley of the Sun Lebanese Red 2022
Tourelles Valley of the Sun Lebanese Red 2022
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Full-bodied and intensely fruity, this well-rounded wine is a blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon Cinsault, Carignan and Grencahe Noir.
Production
Hand harvested grapes are fermented on skins for 8-12 days in the concrete tanks which are a hallmark of Domaine des Tourelles winery. Ageing in these tanks over the winter allows for natural softening and integration of tannins. This blend has been made for an easier, mid-weight style. Meaning it should very versatile and offer approachability.
Tasting notes
A juicy and satisfying Lebanese red, full of berry fruit aromas. The palate richness, rounded tannins with plenty of dark fruit and spice and herbal notes. Medium bodied and versatile, working well with a wide variety of foods.
Food match
Grilled lamb or beef skewers (kebabs), lamb chops, and kafta pair exceptionally well with the smokiness and tannins
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ABV
13%
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Case/Bottle Size
6 x 75cl
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Region/Country
Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
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Grape
Syrah 30%, Cabernet Sauvignon 30%, Cinsault 20%
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Features
Sustainable
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Closure
Screwcap
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Winemaker
Faouzi Issa
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Allergen info
Contains sulphites and no other allergens
Meet the Producer
Domaine des Tourelles was founded in 1868 by French adventurer François-Eugène Brun and is one of the most highly acclaimed and oldest wineries still operating in Lebanon. It was also the first commercial cellar in 'modern' Lebanon to produce wines, arak and other spirits. This place has history! The Brun family owned and ran the winery up until the last descendant died in 2003 but luckily two local families - the Issa and Issa el-Khoury families - joined forces to buy the property and continue the fine tradition of winemaking.
Today, this Bekaa Valley estate is run by the three Issa children - twins Faouzi and Johanne and their sister Christiane, alongside Emile Issa-el Khoury, son of one of the co-owners. This young and dynamic combination have introduced a handful of practices in the vineyards and cellar including the use of indigenous natural yeasts, no fining or filtering, and only very small amounts of sulphur. These techniques along with fruit from 40 hectares of ancient, organically cultivated and dry-farmed vineyards (among the oldest in the valley) and a winery perfect for hands-off winemaking, make Domaine des Tourelles one of the finest boutique wineries in the Middle East.
A Note on Sustainability
Domaine des Tourelles are steeped in history and tradition, but this hasn’t stopped them from revolutionising the way they operate so they can practice growing and winemaking in a sustainable way. Thanks to over 300 days of sunshine and high altitudes in the Bekaa Valley, Domaine des Tourelles became fully solar powered in 2024. The switch to solar power is particularly significant because Lebanon does not have access to 24-hour electricity, meaning that generators fill the gaps in the supply. During harvest this means a particularly high demand for fuel, which over recent years has often been in short supply in the country. Their switch to solar energy accompanies several other green initiatives which have been implemented over the years, which include a switch to lighter weight bottles (410g instead of 560g), using grape and aniseed (from arak production) pomace for compost to fertilise the vineyards or given to local shepherds and using dried thistles harvested from the mountains for the first filtration from the tanks. The winery also provides employment opportunities for people from the villages surrounding the winery who would otherwise have to emigrate to the city or abroad to find jobs and ensures that only local produce is served during tours and tastings.
