Sami Ghosn was in town presenting his wines from the Bekaa Valley:
2011 Massaya Gold Reserve Bekaa Valley Red Blend
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah. A riveting blend that's showing great at the moment: Black cherry, blueberry, coffee, rare beef, rosemary. $57.
2014 Massaya Terrasses de Baalbeck Bekaa Valley Red Blend
My last-of-the-bottle pour was smoky and on the edge of oxidation. A fresh pour from a new bottle was much improved, but the condition of the first bottle has me worried. Drink soon. $30
2016 Massaya Le Colombier Mount Lebanon Red Blend
35% ea Cinsault and Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Tempranillo. Fresh and lively, lightest bodied of the reds in the line-up with lots of charm. $18
2015 Massaya Cap Est Bekaa Valley Red Rhone Blend
Similar to the Classic Red but from the drier, warmer eastern side of the Valley and that shows on the palate. This wine has a jammy kind of ripe sweetness and more overt spice from the grenache component.
2017 Massaya Blanc Bekaa Valley White Blend
Pale yellow. Flowers, pears and white stone fruit. Attractive, potent. A white wine that could fill red wine shoes.