Domaine Bargylus Red

All wine regions and winegrowers have their share of struggles, be they logistic, economic, environmental, labour related, market-driven... you name it. Now take those many difficulties and add militia-controlled roads, mortar shells falling in your vineyard, intermittent electricity, and an anti-alcohol regime in charge... In this case, the very act of making wine is a symbol of resistance and a miracle at the same time. And yet the Saadé brothers manage to produce "arguably the finest wines produced in the Eastern Mediterranean", according to Jancis Robinson.

The Bargylus Red is made from a blend of 60% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Merlot harvested from vineyards in Syria. It's hard to put a finger on it, but stylistically it behaves like a multi-generational lovechild of Priorat, Cornas,and Brunello di Montalcino. It's at once elegant and intense, graceful yet full, generous yet refined. It has to be tasted and believed in to be believed.