Ixsir Altitudes Red, Bekaa Valley

Description

Ixsir Altitudes Red is a wine made in the Batroun District of the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon.

Al-Iksir, meaning Elixir, is the purest form of all substances, a secret potion that grants eternal youth and love. Ixsir was therefore chosen as a fitting name for a new project established by a group of friends who share the desire of creating the finest wines Lebanon has to offer, and have been willing to spare no expense in realising their dream.

The winery is situated beneath an historic manor house in Basbina and its breath-taking blending of sleek modern lines with ancient heritage has earned it acclaim as one of CNN’s greenest buildings of 2011. Ixsir wines have quickly built a reputation as being some of the best wines from Lebanon. The winemaking consultant is Hubert de Boüard of Château Angélus and the grapes are selected from the best terroirs throughout the Lebanon, sponsoring sustainable development within growers’ communities. The Altitudes wines are named after the exceptional 1000-metre-plus terroirs of the Bekaa valley and they are pure and unoaked, whereas the Grande Réserve wines are powerful, rich and barrel aged.

The grapes for the Ixsir Altitudes Red are sourced from 110 hectares of prime vineyards situated on prime calcareous marl soils, which are located at altitudes of between 800 and 1700 metres above sea level. The plots are located at Kfifane, Smart Jbeil, Basbina, Jezzine et Bechouat. Grapes are harvested by hand at night time into small 18kg crates which are then transported to the ultra sleek hi-tech winery in Basbina in temperature-controlled trucks – all this ensures that the grapes arrive at the winery in the best possible condition. The grapes undergo a gentle crushing and de-stalking followed by a temperature controlled fermentation in stainless steel. Part of the wine is aged for 6 months in French oak barrels (15% new, 50% second fill and 35% third fill).

Ixsir Altitudes Red is a blend of 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Caladoc, 22% Syrah and 17% Tempranillo.

This wine is suitable for vegetarians and vegans.