Domaine de Bargylus 2013 Red Grand Vin de Syrie

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Domaine de Bargylus Red 2013 Grand Vin de Syrie Latakia, Syria

Domaine de Bargylus Red 2013 Grand Vin de Syrie is one of the world's most distinctive fine wines and the flagship red of Syria's only commercial winery. Produced by the Johnny R. Saadé Family, Bargylus is grown on the limestone-rich slopes of the Jebel al Ansariyah Mountains overlooking the Mediterranean near Latakia, where altitude, maritime influence, and exceptional soils create a wine unlike any other in the world.

Domaine de Bargylus has become internationally celebrated not only for its extraordinary quality but also for the determination behind its production. Despite years of conflict, the Saadé family has continued to produce world-class wines while managing the estate remotely, earning admiration throughout the wine world. Andrew Jefford of Decanter described Bargylus as a wine with "a story beyond parallel," emphasizing that its quality stands on its own merits rather than its remarkable history.

The 2013 vintage benefited from a long, cold, rainy winter, followed by a mild spring that encouraged even flowering. Summer temperatures remained generally moderate, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly while preserving freshness and elegance. According to the winery, the wines from this vintage show exceptional balance, freshness, and refinement. Harvest for the red grapes began on September 12 and concluded on September 30.

The blend is composed of:

• 60% Syrah
• 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
• 20% Merlot

The wine matured for 14 months in 100% French oak, divided equally among new barrels, one-year-old barrels, and two-year-old barrels. This carefully measured oak program enhances complexity and texture without overshadowing the fruit or the vineyard's distinctive mineral identity.

The vineyards are planted at 900 meters above sea level on soils of limestone, clay, and flintstone. These rocky, mineral-rich soils, combined with Mediterranean sunshine and cooling sea breezes, give Bargylus its unmistakable freshness, salinity, and sense of place. The vines are sustainably managed using wire training, green harvesting, and natural cover crops, with no pesticides or herbicides. Grapes are harvested entirely by hand into small 10 kg crates before undergoing meticulous double sorting.

The winery describes Bargylus as a wine that combines strength with refinement, expressing fresh fruit, minerality, and the unmistakable character of its shingly limestone soils. In the 2013 vintage, the wine displays a beautiful deep purple color with aromas of black olives, black truffle, and white pepper. The palate is balanced, aromatic, and fresh, with beautifully integrated tannins, vibrant acidity, and the signature mineral character that defines Bargylus. The finish is long, elegant, and persistent.

The estate's international reputation continues to grow. The World Atlas of Wine describes Bargylus as "the finest wine produced in the Eastern Mediterranean", while Jancis Robinson MW has consistently praised the balance, structure, and longevity of Bargylus vintages. Although her published review is for the 2016 vintage, her observations reinforce the estate's remarkable consistency and aging potential.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance - Deep purple with brilliant ruby highlights.
• Nose - Black olives, black truffle, white pepper, blackberry, black cherry, Mediterranean herbs, and subtle oak spice.
• Palate - Elegant and beautifully balanced, offering layers of dark fruit, savory olive, earthy truffle, mineral freshness, refined tannins, and vibrant acidity.
• Finish - Long, fresh, and persistent with lingering minerality, spice, and exceptional balance.

Wine Style

Full-Bodied • Elegant • Mineral-Driven • Age-Worthy • Mediterranean Red

A sophisticated blend combining the spice and perfume of Syrah with the structure of Cabernet Sauvignon and the richness of Merlot.Grape Composition

• 60% Syrah
• 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
• 20% Merlot

Vineyard & Terroir

• Country: Syria
• Region: Latakia
• Producer: Domaine de Bargylus
• Altitude: 900 meters above sea level
• Soil: Limestone, clay, and flintstone
• Vineyard Area: 12 hectares
• Vine Age: 10–14 years
• Planting Density: 6,250 vines/hectare
• Yield: 30 hl/ha

The vineyards are located on the slopes of Jebel al Ansariyah, where Mediterranean sea breezes cool the vines each evening, preserving acidity and aromatic freshness while allowing excellent ripening. The limestone and flint-rich soils contribute the saline minerality that has become the hallmark of Bargylus.

Winemaking

The grapes are harvested manually into 10 kg crates before undergoing double sorting.

The wine is matured for 14 months in French oak:

• One-third new French oak
• One-third one-year-old barrels
• One-third two-year-old barrels

The restrained use of oak allows the vineyard's fruit and mineral expression to remain at the forefront.

Food Pairing

Perfect with:

• Dry-aged ribeye
• Beef tenderloin
• Rack of lamb
• Lamb shank
• Venison
• Roast duck
• Wild mushroom risotto
• Truffle pasta
• Slow-braised short ribs
• Grilled Mediterranean lamb
• Aged Manchego
• Comté
• Parmigiano Reggiano

Serving Recommendations

• Serving Temperature: 16–18°C (60–65°F)
• Decanting: 1–2 hours recommended
• Cellaring: Drinking beautifully now and capable of further development for many years under proper cellaring conditions.

Why You'll Love It

• Produced by Syria's only commercial winery
• Internationally acclaimed flagship wine
• 60% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot
• High-altitude vineyards overlooking the Mediterranean
• Limestone, clay, and flintstone soils
• 14 months in French oak
• Hand harvested and double sorted
• Exceptional freshness and minerality
• Critically recognized by Decanter, Jancis Robinson MW, and The World Atlas of Wine
• Rare collectible wine with outstanding aging potential

Technical Details