Chateau Oumsiyat Merlot 2020

This Merlot is all about the fruit - ripe, juicy black plums with a touch of vanilla sweetness. It's from vineyards high up in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, where the soil gives it a hint of something earthy. The winemakers keep things old-school by handpicking the grapes and using traditional methods, but they also add a modern touch with temperature control and stainless steel. The result? A smooth, easy-drinking Merlot that's packed with pure fruit flavour.

This easy-drinking red's happy to join a casual spread. Burgers and sizzling pizzas are a sure bet, but it wouldn't say no to fragrant Asian flavours either.

Chateau Oumsiyat is a family-run estate in Mtein, high in the Bekaa Valley, where the Bou Sleiman family have been making wine since 1950. Now in its fourth generation, the estate farms nearly 80 hectares of vines planted at over 1,000 metres in elevation, growing long-established Lebanese varieties such as Obeidy, Merwah and Meksassi alongside international names like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and even the odd unexpected one like Assyrtiko. The political situation in Lebanon has given its wine industry a difficult run in recent years, but Oumsiyat is among a handful of estates successfully making headway nonetheless.