2011 Massaya Gold Reserve Rouge, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon (750ml)

a full-bodied wine distinguished by hints of toast, cloves and spices. Beautiful ageing potential. Enjoy decanted.

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 50%, Mourvèdre 40%, Syrah 10%

It seems pretty brilliant now, perhaps the best wine I've ever seen from Massaya. It is fair to say I was unkind to it. It opens with some velvet. The oak certainly affects the texture. Then the wine becomes intense and largely pulls in the wood with a half hour in the glass. It shows some hints of beef and game on the gripping finish. The Syrah and the Mourvèdre add welcome complexity on the nose and palate. It's focused and powerful, with a lot of tannic pop. It is notably better the next day. This is beautiful—and very young. Another year or two of cellaring wouldn't hurt, but it's not mandatory. This is built for the long haul. It's clearer now that it will age well, perhaps better than anticipated. Let's remain conservative, though. I won't be surprised if this again exceeds expectations after it has a few more years in the cellar. It is certainly still on the upswing. - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 94PTS