Château Musar
Bekaa Valley Red Blend
Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
I haven’t had the 2005 Chateau Musar Rouge since it was released whilst living in the Middle East. Recently, I picked up a half case each of the 2005 Rouge and Blanc since it’s an anniversary wine for Holly and I. One thing is certain, no one could ever accuse Serge (and now Gaston) for making boring wines. Decanted for five hours prior to drinking. This had a crazy bouquet of grapefruit, brambles and strawberries, pipe tobacco, wild flowers, horse blanket. Delicious red fruit, spices and earth on the palate. Tannins are still present but much more integrated than when I had this on release. Examples like this bottle will continue to age gracefully for years to come. QPR is through the freaking roof.
I haven’t had the 2005 Chateau Musar Rouge since it was released whilst living in the Middle East. Recently, I picked up a half case each of the 2005 Rouge and Blanc since it’s an anniversary wine for Holly and I. One thing is certain, no one could ever accuse Serge (and now Gaston) for making boring wines. Decanted for five hours prior to drinking. This had a crazy bouquet of grapefruit, brambles and strawberries, pipe tobacco, wild flowers, horse blanket. Delicious red fruit, spices and earth on the palate. Tannins are still present but much more integrated than when I had this on release. Examples like this bottle will continue to age gracefully for years to come. QPR is through the freaking roof.
Oct 13th, 2018
Refined, plenty of earth, red roses, raspberry, hints of tobacco and leather, firm tannins
Refined, plenty of earth, red roses, raspberry, hints of tobacco and leather, firm tannins
Sep 17th, 2018
First Musar experience and most engaging wine I’ve had in a long while. High toned and delicate but still distinctly powerful in grace. Clean orchestration. Reminds me of great Burgundy and Bordeaux smashed, or rather softly molded, together. Absolutely killer with strip steak and sautéed rainbow chard.
First Musar experience and most engaging wine I’ve had in a long while. High toned and delicate but still distinctly powerful in grace. Clean orchestration. Reminds me of great Burgundy and Bordeaux smashed, or rather softly molded, together. Absolutely killer with strip steak and sautéed rainbow chard.
Aug 29th, 2018
One of the better bottles of 99 I’ve had. Gorgeous sweet cherry, leather, earth, and herbs. Fabulous finish.
One of the better bottles of 99 I’ve had. Gorgeous sweet cherry, leather, earth, and herbs. Fabulous finish.
Aug 26th, 2018Decanted for 4.5 hours; consumed over 2 hours. So very young but already an extraordinary showing. This is a positively sublime expression of Musar: tart cherries, wild game, dates, Fig Newtons, tobacco, Herbes de Provence, alfalfa...simply delight to behold. Monumental structure with ample tannin an acid to balance the avalanche of fruit. Makes me wonder how long these could go. Easily one of the top 5 wines I’ve had this year. Oh baby...this is good.
Decanted for 4.5 hours; consumed over 2 hours. So very young but already an extraordinary showing. This is a positively sublime expression of Musar: tart cherries, wild game, dates, Fig Newtons, tobacco, Herbes de Provence, alfalfa...simply delight to behold. Monumental structure with ample tannin an acid to balance the avalanche of fruit. Makes me wonder how long these could go. Easily one of the top 5 wines I’ve had this year. Oh baby...this is good.
Jul 8th, 2018
Musar never disappoints. 00 and 03 were in almost perfect condition!
Musar never disappoints. 00 and 03 were in almost perfect condition!
Jun 17th, 2018Musar always takes you on a journey and this was no different! Probably a bit better with another decade of age, but who has the patience!
Musar always takes you on a journey and this was no different! Probably a bit better with another decade of age, but who has the patience!
Jun 8th, 2018
Part of a Musar wine dinner. Served with a braised short rib alongside the 2009 Musar red as well. This ‘98 was very high toned and went beautifully with the smokiness of the short rib and the was just lifted by the pistou underneath. It was in a great place.
Part of a Musar wine dinner. Served with a braised short rib alongside the 2009 Musar red as well. This ‘98 was very high toned and went beautifully with the smokiness of the short rib and the was just lifted by the pistou underneath. It was in a great place.
May 25th, 2018
Vintage 2006 - always special to taste Musar. Made from the three C’s #cinsault #carignan #cabernetsauvignon Mature smell with richness, a lot of complexity, the wine is in smell and taste warm as well as multi- layered. Plums also. Nice to taste Musar again. #lebanonwine
Vintage 2006 - always special to taste Musar. Made from the three C’s #cinsault #carignan #cabernetsauvignon Mature smell with richness, a lot of complexity, the wine is in smell and taste warm as well as multi- layered. Plums also. Nice to taste Musar again. #lebanonwine
May 15th, 2018
The 1997 is incredibly elegant and confident. Graceful impact and gentle attack. The most Burgundy-like of the Musars I’ve tasted. Still has a ton of youthful vigor, focus and energy. Zero palate weight. Elevated VA is allowing the aromatics to really take off. The most refined and beautiful Musar I’ve had yet, covering the broad spectrum of red berries, herbs, leather, spices and minerals. Funky yet refined.
The 1997 is incredibly elegant and confident. Graceful impact and gentle attack. The most Burgundy-like of the Musars I’ve tasted. Still has a ton of youthful vigor, focus and energy. Zero palate weight. Elevated VA is allowing the aromatics to really take off. The most refined and beautiful Musar I’ve had yet, covering the broad spectrum of red berries, herbs, leather, spices and minerals. Funky yet refined.
Apr 21st, 2018