Château Musar
Bekaa Valley Red Blend
Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
The 2016 Chateau Musar, the winery’s latest vintage on release, is much less forthcoming on the nose than the 2013 and ‘15 that I’ve tried recently, despite - or perhaps because of - the fact that the Hochars consider 2016 to be a successful and very ageworthy vintage.
The nose is quite dense and tightly wound, much like a left bank Bordeaux presents in its youth, not yet revealing its cards besides aromas of cedar, steeped plum, smoked beef and cinnamon. The palate, however, is open for business - powerful and saturated, striking that wonderful Musar balance between dark fruit and tangy acidity, expanding towards a puckering finish with good length.
The lasting impression here is of a very modern rendition of Musar, with great clarity and purity to the fruit, fine tannins, refreshing acidity on the palate and great drinkability now (though equal potential to age). My preference of late remains the 2013, but that’s now quite hard to buy - so I’d happily have a case of this instead.
94+
The 2016 Chateau Musar, the winery’s latest vintage on release, is much less forthcoming on the nose than the 2013 and ‘15 that I’ve tried recently, despite - or perhaps because of - the fact that the Hochars consider 2016 to be a successful and very ageworthy vintage.
The nose is quite dense and tightly wound, much like a left bank Bordeaux presents in its youth, not yet revealing its cards besides aromas of cedar, steeped plum, smoked beef and cinnamon. The palate, however, is open for business - powerful and saturated, striking that wonderful Musar balance between dark fruit and tangy acidity, expanding towards a puckering finish with good length.
The lasting impression here is of a very modern rendition of Musar, with great clarity and purity to the fruit, fine tannins, refreshing acidity on the palate and great drinkability now (though equal potential to age). My preference of late remains the 2013, but that’s now quite hard to buy - so I’d happily have a case of this instead.
94+
Pretty much always a safe bet with consistent notes. Lively fruit and acidity. Paired well with slow roasted lamb shoulder
Pretty much always a safe bet with consistent notes. Lively fruit and acidity. Paired well with slow roasted lamb shoulder
Jul 8th, 2024
9.3++. Beautiful now bit very young with a great future ahead of it.
9.3++. Beautiful now bit very young with a great future ahead of it.
May 2nd, 2024
A bit acidic, tannic, can stand up to a big steak.
A bit acidic, tannic, can stand up to a big steak.
Nov 1st, 2023Decent, not worth the price tag. I loved it, hubby picked up on a bit of ethyl acetate that was off putting (seems to be common for wines from this winery). Had with shish tawook, paired nicely. Full bodied, jammy.
Decent, not worth the price tag. I loved it, hubby picked up on a bit of ethyl acetate that was off putting (seems to be common for wines from this winery). Had with shish tawook, paired nicely. Full bodied, jammy.
Jul 4th, 2023
What a joy to find this bottle at a NYC steakhouse. It’s been a while. Initially turned on by these ancient Lebanese vineyards and organic practices. And blending fruit that we are Las Jaras use. Drinking well for being a ‘16. VA a bit high but reminiscent of some wilder Barolo
What a joy to find this bottle at a NYC steakhouse. It’s been a while. Initially turned on by these ancient Lebanese vineyards and organic practices. And blending fruit that we are Las Jaras use. Drinking well for being a ‘16. VA a bit high but reminiscent of some wilder Barolo
Feb 5th, 2023