Domaine des Tourelles, making impressive wines in Lebanon
Website: https://www.domainedestourelles.com/
At Wine Paris I caught up with Faouzi Issa of Domaine des Tourelles in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley. Tourelles are an important producer for Lebanon, and these wines are really good. Like many Lebanese producers, they are very French influenced, but they are also starting to play more on local strengths. They own and rent around 50 hectares of vines in the Bekaa Valley, at over 1000 m, where it’s extremely sunny but the high temperatures are moderated by the altitude.
For more on Tourelles, there’s an article I wrote in 2023, based on a lunch and interview in London.
Domaine des Tourelles Vieiiles Vignes Blanc Merweh Obeidh 2024 Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
11% alcohol. Bright, vivid, stony and mineral with a waxy edge to the keen citrus fruit. Has a wet stone finish. 91/100
Domaine des Tourelles Classic White 2015 Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
A blend of Viognier, Chardonnay, Muscat and Obeidh. Pure, linear and vivid with some juicy brightness and keen citrus. Taut and lemony with some grapey richness, and a nice acid line. 91/100
Domaine des Tourelles Skin Merweh 2023 Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
This comes from 150 year old vines that grow like trees in the mountains. Pithy and taut with nice grip, as well as bright citrus fruit. There’s a nice tannic grip and overall this shows lovely balance. 93/100
Domaine des Tourelles Marquis de Beys Blanc 2024 Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
70% Chardonnay, 15% Viognier, 15% Sauvignon Blanc. Nice weight here with a stony edge to the bright pear and citrus fruit. Pure and well balanced. 91/100
Domaine des Tourelles Classic Red 2022 Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
This is Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cinsault and Carignan, raised in concrete vats. Supple and juicy with lovely cherry and strawberry fruit, with nice grippiness and some flesh. Has hints of olive and pepper, too. 93/100
Domaine des Tourelles Vielles Vignes Cinsault 2022 Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
Such elegance and poise here with some sweet strawberry fruit and nice depth. There’s some juiciness, and the fruit is supported by spicy tannins. 93/100
Domaine des Tourelles Vieilles Vignes Carignan 2022 Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
Supple and elegant with lovely cherry fruit providing the flesh. Rounded and sweetly fruity, but with nice grainy structure. 94/100
Domaine des Tourelles Marquis de Beys Rouge 2020 Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Juicy and vivid with nice oak complexity and ripe cherry and plum fruit. Sweetly fruited but well balanced. 92/100
Domaine des Tourelles Syrah du Liban Grand Cuvée 2021 Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
Syrah raised in American oak. Rich and ripe but nicely balanced, with warm, sweet berry fruits. Nice depth here with some spicy oak and well resolved tannins. There’s a lot of flavour. 92/100
