Jay Kline

9.4

It is customary for the wines of Chateau Musar to be released seven years post-vintage. However, in 2013, the decision was made to hold the vintage back. 2006 was unusual for two reasons. The first, were the cool climatic conditions in the Bekaa; the likes of which had not been seen since the 1950’s. There was a two-week period in winter where the valley was blanketed in snow and mild temperatures remained in effect throughout much of the growing season. The second was much more tragic: 2006 was a war year in Lebanon. On July 12th of that year, Israel and Hezbollah engaged in a bloody conflict that lasted (officially) a little over a month. Sadly, thousands of lives were lost. In 2017, eleven years after harvest, the 2006 vintage was deemed ready for release.

Poured into a decanter about 90min prior to service. The 2006 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of black cherry, blackberries, black currants, tobacco, horse blanket, leather, some red and purple flowers, dried herbs and Eastern spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and absolutely delicious. A triumph and perfect with lamb chops. Drink now through 2046+.

How Chateau Musar endures to make wines from the Bekaa remain one of the great examples of human grit and determination available in the world of wine. Frankly, it’s a minor miracle this vintage ever made it to the winery. — a month ago

K. Ross

8.9

14.8% abv. Tasty. Dark thick fruits taste. Intense but pleasant. — 3 years ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.6

Wow. I’m speechless. Comes charging out of the gates and doesn't let up. Melange of tropical fruit as well as cool climate fruit on the nose, exotic yet essential. Palate is so poised, beautifully balanced, with an amazing line of acid. Oak is elegantly woven through.

Precise sweetness and tartness drill into your palate. Remarkable juice! — 4 years ago

Sergei Peysakhov

9.2

Surprisingly bright and tropical for a Cali chard. Lighter body and slightly mineraly. Very pleasant — 4 months ago

Tom Garland

9.3

+1 hour decant(decent chunky/fine sediment). A splendid dark ruby red color. On the nose: Intoxicating/intense nose of black fruit, dark currants, worn leather, forest floor, coffee grounds, minty dark chocolate. Taste: smooth, satiny, structured, balanced wine with chocolate covered brambly blackberry, tobacco, earth, cedar, black pepper, and a herbal licorice long finish. A medium body old world style wine that shows well right now and should continue to provide more years of enjoyable sipping. — 7 months ago

with Brenda

Kirsten Christiansen

9.5

Bought as a half bottle to pair with homemade crab cakes, asparagus, and pan-fried chips. Lovely pale yellow color, fresh citrus and grass aroma and taste (with a hint of my favorite: green bell pepper) with a moderate alcohol sting on the back end. — a year ago

Casey Donohue

9.0

Good wine! — 3 years ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.4

Needs a good day to open up. At first quite brutal in an unyielding way. I left this on my custom Argon line for a week. Reviewed this many times before. Absolutely delicious and driven by earth herbs and hint of red fruits. More or less for aficionados only (I don’t want to be condescending here) as so much patience is required. Drink now because i do not expect the fruit to hang on all that long. — 4 months ago

Conrad Green

9.3

Classic lunch bags. Inky sour cherry and stony grippy fruit. Really straight down the line bordeaux. Classic. — a year ago

with Paul

Lyn Farmer

9.3

A lovely melding of Old World finesse and New World exuberance. Green apple, pear, white peach, ripe lemon oil, flint, acacia, and the barest hint of toasted brioche. Mouth watering acidity but not at the expense of texture. Long, beautifully ripe finish. Stunning. — 3 years ago