Massaya Gold Selection 2007

Lebanese wine has had a standard bearer in Chateau Musar for some years, excellent as the red is there are also new makers challenging for the headline spot. One of these is Massaya from the Bekaa valley. I have sampled a couple of their red wine, the Gold Selection is far and away the best.

Made with 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Mourvedre and 10 % Syrah, the wine is built to last with plenty of structure, ripe fruit and a long finish. Predominantly red fruits, strawberry and raspberry on the nose which comes through in the mouth along with a grippy finish from dry tannins suggesting there is more to come, if you have the patience.The mourvedre adds a gamey flavour, I would think it ripens more consistently here than in France; where in wine like Tempiers' Bandol cuvees it can be superb.

This went beautifully with lamb and continued to yield more fresh fruit flavours as it opened up further in the glass. It definitely benefited from decanting for an hour, could have done with more and leaving for another couple of years. But the bottle had been calling to me for some time and I could not resist.

Thanks again to D. Byrnes of Clitheroe for feeding my habit!!