The very best, of the best white wines that I have consumed. ixir Grand Riserve 2017 is an amazing blend of white grapes from the Batroun District, in Lebanon, of 60% Viognier, 25% Sauvignon, and 15% Chardonnay.

This blend is a blend of not just grapes, but terroirs, selected with respect to the grape varietal, the altitude (which the ixier wines seem to be based around), and the sustainability that the company’s foundation resides upon.

First and foremost, the salinity of the ocean booms through, clearly, with white stone, amazing minerality that explodes across the palate with overripe golden apples and pears, green and golden, in leather, that have been travellin for days, bouquets of aromatic green herbs, thyme, basil, sage, an rosemary. The salt and shale and sandy beach in this wine blasts through the fat in a steak cooked rare, bringing out the flavor of the meat, not just the rub or the preparation, but the meat itself. It is a powerful foil to chocolate cake, or chicken cordon blu. I am excited to try it with more traditional Lebanese recipes.

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This is the wine I would drink, if I have one left to drink the rest of my life.