Levantine De Musar Red Blend

This was my second experience with the 2020 Levantine (the first bottle was, unfortunately, flawed) which is the result of Musar’s effort to adjust for a changing climate. In this case, they worked with a single-vineyard that has been planted with a portion of Tempranillo. The results are very encouraging.

Popped and poured; no formal notes. An exotic nose with dark fruits, plums, blackberries…and some blueberries too with purple flowers, iron and teriyaki. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. On this initial pour, it’s a touch “frizzante” but that dissipates after some time in the glass. This was a wonderful accompaniment to paella with mussels, prawns, snails, chicken and squid. Ultimately, I find this to be a really lovely, fresh and crunchy version of Musar that is different and yet distinctively Bekaa Valley. Drink now and over the next 5-10 years.

Murky, decadent, sweet and sour tease of the Musar capability in a fresher, direct impression.

Aromatically rich with a mix of fruit and that iodine note reaching way back to your upper brain.

Fresh, vibrant, crunchy mouth. Wild Maine blueberry crumble, metals and violets. Spiced coffee cake, orange and lemon zest and milk chocolate shavings.

You could smell this all day. It fights through the teeth. We both win.

Blend of Cinsault (65%), Tempranillo (25%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%). Medium ruby color with garnet highlights. Aromas of red and black fruit, earth and dried rose petals. Flavors of dried blackberry, black currant and black cherry fruit, cranberry, tobacco and baking spices. Note of black pepper on the medium-plus finish. Light on tannin with medium acidity. No sign of oak aging. Fruit forward and juicy. Reminiscent of a Cru Beaujolais in texture and style. Good with barbecue.

Really bad wine. Initially I got notes of blackberry and higher alcohols on the nose. Finishes quite dry. then hubby points out that it smells AND tastes like nail polish and I could not unring that bell. Pretty pricey and most of it went down the drain.

Another stellar Musar, very approachable and forward than the cab.