Crafted in the foothills of Mount Lebanon at 1,000 meters altitude, the 2014 Château Marsyas is a bold and characterful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (55%), Syrah (20%), Merlot (10%), Petit Verdot (10%), and Cabernet Franc (5%). Aged for 12 months in French oak (one-third new), it delivers an intense nose of balsamic notes, wild strawberries, and spice. On the palate, it’s lush, powerful, and high in alcohol, with a rich, almost syrupy texture that is balanced by dry tannins and a long, precise finish. This is a wine for lovers of opulence and bold flavors — ideal with robust, strongly seasoned dishes.

Jancisrobinson.com | JR 16
Published: Feb 8, 2021
Drink: 2019-2024

After having planted Domaine de Bargylus in Syria, the Saadé family bought land in the south-west of the Bekaa Valley in 2004 in the foothills of Mount Lebanon on the Bekaa side. The vineyards, unusually, are not on the plateau but on a slope at 1,000 m above the Bekaa valley. A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah, 10% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc. Early-morning harvest. The wines are aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, one-third new, although the proportion has since been reduced to 20% and barrels are used up to five times.
Very, very deep blackish crimson. Intense with strong balsam notes on the well-integrated nose. Very luscious but also very obviously high in alcohol with heat on the back palate and almost syrupy in texture until the dry tannins kick in at the end. Not as beautiful as the 2013 Bargylus red. But if you were looking for an unusually spicy, unusually emphatic, big, big wine to drink with extremely strongly flavoured food, this would do the trick. But I have to say that I slightly feel a headache coming on… 
Alcohol: 15.7%

Winemaker

Color: Deep red appearance with light purple reflections
Nose: Fresh and soft yet complex including wild strawberries and spices
Palate: Very precise and elegant
Finish: Long and rich, leaving a beautiful acid balance