Bekaa Valley Red Blend

Thank you, Chris Struck!

Such a dense and youthful nose - brett of course, which gradually blows off to reveal smoked cherry, cranberry, blackberry preserve, cedar, clove and a balsamic edge. It’s exotic, and unmistakably Musar.

The palate is actually very sweet, with an immediate hit of liquorice, followed by plum compote, blackberry jam, fresh tobacco and vanilla. Not the Musar for me, but it’s hard to deny the wine’s complexity. The wine has high acidity and fine tannins, and I’d say in ten years the 2001 will be a beauty.

92+

What can one say—Musar tastes like Musar. This one at 19 was surprisingly youthful. Penetrating licorice root and herbs with plenty of currant flavor, leather, and good structure. Glad I have 2 bottles left as this one will develop further.

Vintage 1999 | wow! A Burgundian smell with rosehip and barnyard, very impressive. Awesome balance and very long aftertaste. A treat!

Vintage 2001 | a matured Lady, classic, tertiaire tones, a bit drying aftertaste

Very secondary but still retaining loads of sweet fruit. Plums, figs, chocolate, coffee, cherry compote and leather are bursting forth right now. Double-decanted and tasted with Marc Hochar in Napa.

Very interesting wine. Colour - ruby. Aroma - oaky. Tastes like a Spanish Ribera. Rich wine, yet retaining a certain level of finesse. Would buy again.

Aromas of dark berries and cherry, a plummy musk, and wafts of kretek ~ pronounced pastilles on the palate meld into the herbs de Provence coated lamb shanks infused with lavender, honey, thyme, basil and Dijon mustard ~ killer pairing!

Loving these slightly developed Musar, for their price they are equal to some of the best wines from Bordeaux/Rhône, depending on the vintage.

Now is the time! Decanted 2 hrs, cloudy thinning hue, funky nose of vegetation, moss & wet stone. Still delivered rich fruit & poise.