2014 Ixsir Altitudes Rouge, Mount Lebanon, Lebanon
Picked this up at a local Mediterranean market last week for about $16. It was quite good, surprisingly so for the price; and now that I read the impressive credentials in the last CT reviewer's TN I get why. Cheerful savory fruit and spice (the Cab shows), nice structure for now to 2024 or so, fresh yet elegant.
From that review: "Ixisir is the Arabic word from where we derive elixir, a magic potion. Hubert De Bouard, co-owner of Chateau Angelus, is the consultant winemaker, and Gabriel Rivero, former winemaker of Chateau Sociando-Mallet, is the chief winemaker of the estate. I couldn’t find the exact blend percentages, but the 2013 was a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (35), Syrah (22), Caladoc (26), Tempranillo (17) Around 15% new oak, 50% 2nd use, 35% third use. IXSIR’s vineyards are spread in the mountains of Lebanon on clay-calcareous and limestone soil, from Batroun to Jezzine, at an altitude of 1,800m. Green and sustainable practices."