Well, tonight I tasted the first of my birthday wines. Massaya Classic 2005 is a blend of 60% cinsault, 20% cabernet sauvignon and 20% syrah. Produced in the Bekaa Valley it's an interesting blend of grapes and producers - Dominique Hebrard of Chateaux Bellefont-Belcier and Trianon, Frederic & Daniel Brunier of Vieux Telegraphe and Sami and Ramzi Ghosn of Tanail in Lebanon.
The wine has a lovely ruby, garnet colour evenly fading from core to rim, suggesting some maturity. The nose is ripe and spicy, with warm berry fruits, some dried fruit and some pepper, suggesting a rich wine beginning to mature. The palate has a sweet, smooth entry, soft tannins and supple acidity, a rich but elegant middle palate, and a sweet long fruity finish. Overall, a good to very good wine.
So, thanks Bren for the good bottle.
About Me
- DermotMW
- Dublin, Ireland
- Hi, I'm Dermot Nolan, and I became a Master of Wine (MW) in 1997, and resigned from the Institute of Masters of Wine in 2023 after being an MW for exactly 26 years. I opened a wine shop in Dún Laoghaire, Ireland, called The Wine Library, which closed in 2018, and this is my personal wine blog. I will do my utmost to be fair and responsible in my posts – please read my Who Pays article in re the ethics of wine trips and writing. I have worked in wine education, retail, and consultancy since 1990. I was a Director of the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) from 2008 to 2014 and was also a member of the Events Committee, founder of the Trips Committee, and member of the Governance Committee. Having had problems with potentially libellous comments from unidentifiable posters, I now require that if you post a comment, you must identify yourself properly or it won't be published. Please note that I do not review products or services on request so kindly don't ask. I value my independence and I believe my readers (few that they may be) do so also.
2 comments:
Hi Dermot
Belated birthday greetings from Belmullet must get you a wee drop of Poitín for you next tasting!
Such sad news about the discontinuation of the classes at the wine board, I was so disappointed as I was looking forward to starting the Advanced Course in autumn.
Can you suggest any other places where courses are held or do you hold courses in any other venues?
Really enjoyed your courses so hopefully....! Máirín
Hi Mairin, I know that Tindal Wines (who are out your direction) have been awarded APP status - contact them at htindal@tindalwine.com.
All the best,
Dermot
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