I guess that I am becoming one of those “seniors” who lose track of time, but then numbers have always been my bane for remembering.  I was blocking some time to go to my latest favorite wine shop The Fine Wine Source, because I had an email promotion from them about tasting some wines from Lebanon.  My knowledge of this area of the world for wines is very limited and I was looking forward to discussing wines with the representative.  I walked into the wine shop, where they know me and asked how the tasting was going for these wines.  They laughed and said it was a great turnout and very successful, but that I was a week late.  Talk about being embarrassed.  Though they told me that they have some wines available still for tasting, due to the wonders of the Coravin system.  I tried to save face and agreed to try what was available.

Ixsir Winery was founded in 2009 in the northern part of Lebanon in Batroun which is a coastal area.  They are a mountain winery, and one of the highest in elevation for the Northern Hemisphere.  The name Ixsir derives from the Arabic word “Iksir” the original Arabic word for “elixir.” History has recorded that man has searched for the perfect elixir for eternal youth and for love.  The winery is very progressive and has been named one of the greenest buildings in the world.  The winery owns one-hundred-twenty hectares in the Batroun with several different vineyards capitalizing on the terroir.  The winery grows Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Tempranillo, Caladoc, Cinsault, Merlot, Obeidy, Viognier, Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Semillon.  Quite impressive for a young company, as far as I am concerned.

The first wine that was opened for me, was totally impressive and thankfully they had some bottles, so that I could take some home to share with my Bride.  The Ixsir Grand Reserve White 2015 captivated me immediately, as soon as I came into contact with the nose of the wine.   I enjoy Viognier and the heady, perfumed fragrance hit me immediately, and I knew that my Bride also enjoys this grape, I guess I have learned a bit about her over the years.  The wine was a blend of sixty percent Viognier, twenty-five percent Sauvignon Blanc and fifteen percent Chardonnay.  The wine was aged in French Oak, of which half were new, for a period of five months.   It was a nice crisp wine with just enough oak, so as not to be cloying.  So far, I have kept the wine under wraps at home, until the right moment to surprise her with it.