IXSIR Altitudes Blanc 2019

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90 pts James Suckling

There are so many cool things about this wine: it’s from Lebanon, from some of the highest vineyards in the Northern Hemisphere and made primarily from the Obeideh grape! Hmm… can’t cover them all today… let’s talk a little about Obeideh.

I know, you’ve never heard of it. Truth be told, most wine drinkers in Lebanon hadn’t either until recently. And yet the grape has been drunk widely throughout the Middle East, from Turkey to Israel to Iran, in the form of Arak. Arak is a liquor made from distilled Obeideh infused with aniseed. It is similar to Ouza from Greece. (Just a shot… I figure some of you have been to Greece!). In any case, Obeideh would likely have gone extinct were it not for its importance in the production of arak. Luckily for us, a few pioneering wineries thought, “Hey… old vines… our heritage… I wonder what a wine produced from these grapes would taste like?”

And here we are…

A kaleidoscope of aromas explode from this blend of Obeidah, Muscat and Viognier. Or as the winery puts it, Altitudes “presents an elegant swirl of golden glittering robes. Breathing an exquisite bouquet of floral aromas with hints of Muscat and notes of grapefruit, this floral and fruity blend translates into a balanced and sharp palate hinted with spicy undertones. A soft touch of acidity gives the wine a pleasant freshness.”

I love the imagery of swirling robes… and just so accurate to describe the exotic aromas and flavors that twist and turn and morph with each sip. The wine has some backbone to it, elevating it from a simple sipper to a full, round wine capable of pairing with  huge variety of foods. And you can totally try some… you can easily make or buy tabbouleh, hummus, and baba ganoush. Falafel… kafta… shawarma (think gyro)… kebabs… I

I’m hungry now…

“The name IXSIR derives from “Iksir”, the original Arabic word for “Elixir”, a word common to many languages, defining the purest form of all substances, a secret potion that grants eternal youth and love. The vision behind IXSIR is to reveal the best terroirs of Lebanon, some forgotten long since. Cultivated with respect to sustainable agriculture, IXSIR’s vineyards are spread in the mountains of Lebanon on clay-calcareous and limestone soil, from Batroun to Jezzine, benefiting from the unique microclimates Lebanon has to offer. IXSIR’s vineyards culminate at an altitude of 1,800m, making them one of the highest in the Northern Hemisphere. Winemaking occurs in a winery located on the hills of Batroun where a 17th century traditional Lebanese house presides over a contemporary winery with sustainability at its core. Recognized several time for its green credentials, the IXSIR winery was named by CNN as one of the greenest building in the world, and won the international Architizer A+ Award as well as the Good Green Design award and the Green Mind MENA Award.” Winery note

“A delicious, dry white with lots of rose-water and pineapple character. It’s full-bodied with a creamy texture and a flavorful finish. High altitude. Lots of muscat flavors.” JS


Or reply. The wine is available now in Chapel Hill. Friday, as ordered, in Hillsborough.