Château Ksara — Chardonnay Cuvée du Pape 2021

White Wine · Bekaa Valley, Lebanon · 13.5%

From Lebanon's oldest winery, founded by Jesuit monks in 1857, this is Château Ksara's finest expression of white winemaking — and one H is genuinely pleased to have on the shelf. The Chardonnay is grown high in the Bekaa Valley, planted at altitude to give it freshness and complexity, then fermented and aged on its lees in French oak for around ten months, with regular lees-stirring for texture. 

The result is full-bodied but never heavy: layered and creamy, with notes of citrus and stone fruit lifted by vanilla and a gentle toast from the oak. There's a bright line of acidity running through it that keeps everything fresh and drinkable. Lovely now, but it has the backbone to reward a few years in the cellar if you'd rather wait.

A natural match for roast chicken, creamy cheeses, or grilled fish. A quietly serious bottle from a corner of the wine world too many people overlook.

Gold medal — Mundus Vini, 2021 vintage.