Both fleshy and balanced, this Château Les Cèdres 2014 from Domaine Wardy is typical of the great wines of Lebanon.

A powerful wine! This 2014 vintage is just reaching full potential here, with tannins that are still firm but elegant. The balance between density and freshness is highly skillful. On the palate, elegant notes of red berries and black cherries are still very present, while hints of chocolate and spice add to the delicious, long, minty finish.

This balance has always been the trademark of Domaine Wardy, located in the Zahleh area at the heart of the Bekaa Valley. The estate was founded in 1893 by two local families, the Ghantous and the Abou Raad. Initially, both focused on the production of arak, an anisette made by distilling grapes to which anise is added, and which is somehow similar to Greek ouzo. But the Wardy family, another of the region's prominent families, acquired a stake in the company in the 1970s, and decided to diversify by offering wines as well. The first vintage was produced in 1997. The result: today, Domaine Wardy is probably best known for its wines, of which it produces some 300,000 bottles a year.