Château Musar
Musar Jeune Rouge Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
Popped and poured, enjoyed over the course of four hours. The 2020 Musar Jeune Rouge pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of currants, blackberries, black cherry, Tootsie Roll, dried leaf tobacco, underbrush and inorganic earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. Against a lineup of pretty serious wines, this more than held its own. In fact, I found myself coming back to it over and over. As Musar’s most humble wine, “Jeune” is a wonderful representation of the overall quality of Musar. Drink now through 2030.
Popped and poured, enjoyed over the course of four hours. The 2020 Musar Jeune Rouge pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of currants, blackberries, black cherry, Tootsie Roll, dried leaf tobacco, underbrush and inorganic earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. Against a lineup of pretty serious wines, this more than held its own. In fact, I found myself coming back to it over and over. As Musar’s most humble wine, “Jeune” is a wonderful representation of the overall quality of Musar. Drink now through 2030.
Aug 24th, 2024Not lacking grape related tannins...fresh and clean wine. Ripe red fruits for sure.
Not lacking grape related tannins...fresh and clean wine. Ripe red fruits for sure.
Aug 16th, 2017
Gaston Hochar founded Château Musar estate in Lebanon in 1930; his Bordeaux-trained son Serge took over in 1959 and rose to international fame for pioneering unique blends in his limestone-rich but civil war-ravaged country. A charismatic philosopher and master of terroir, Serge died this past year. His influence carries on in the beguiling #complexity of his wines. This particular cuvée from the estate's younger vines elegantly balances #opulent dark fruit, exotic spice, refined tannins and the unmistakable Musar earthiness.
Gaston Hochar founded Château Musar estate in Lebanon in 1930; his Bordeaux-trained son Serge took over in 1959 and rose to international fame for pioneering unique blends in his limestone-rich but civil war-ravaged country. A charismatic philosopher and master of terroir, Serge died this past year. His influence carries on in the beguiling #complexity of his wines. This particular cuvée from the estate's younger vines elegantly balances #opulent dark fruit, exotic spice, refined tannins and the unmistakable Musar earthiness.
8 people found it helpfulMar 10th, 2015
Earth and spice driven red blend. Lacks the complexity of Hoochar or Musar, but possesses a freshness those two bottlings often lack.
Earth and spice driven red blend. Lacks the complexity of Hoochar or Musar, but possesses a freshness those two bottlings often lack.
3 people found it helpfulJul 8th, 2019
Tannic grape cola. Spicy earthy and ripe but a little stitched together... missing something aromatically and on the midpalate. Good value if you like big red wine.
Tannic grape cola. Spicy earthy and ripe but a little stitched together... missing something aromatically and on the midpalate. Good value if you like big red wine.
2 people found it helpfulJan 5th, 2019
@Austin Hohnke got it right. Good.
@Austin Hohnke got it right. Good.
1 person found it helpfulSep 28th, 2020
Black pepper, juicy plum, and dark cherries. A touch of medicinal notes, a whiff of earthy funk. Good acidity, moderate tannins, medium plus alcohol.
Black pepper, juicy plum, and dark cherries. A touch of medicinal notes, a whiff of earthy funk. Good acidity, moderate tannins, medium plus alcohol.
1 person found it helpfulMay 31st, 2019
Entry level Musar. 50% Cinsault, 30% Syrah, 20% Cab Sauv. Multiple blind tasters thought it was older. Slightly oxidative. Tobacco, leather, black cherries. Has a dried Valpolicella Ripasso quality to it.
Entry level Musar. 50% Cinsault, 30% Syrah, 20% Cab Sauv. Multiple blind tasters thought it was older. Slightly oxidative. Tobacco, leather, black cherries. Has a dried Valpolicella Ripasso quality to it.
1 person found it helpfulSep 25th, 2018
Vintage 2014 - #cinsault #syrah #cabernetsauvignon Brushwood in smell, Raspberries in smell and in taste. Great balance. I have had Musar Jeune and thought it not very special, but after tasting a lot of #lebanonwine this wine next to them really shows the craftmanship of Musar.
Vintage 2014 - #cinsault #syrah #cabernetsauvignon Brushwood in smell, Raspberries in smell and in taste. Great balance. I have had Musar Jeune and thought it not very special, but after tasting a lot of #lebanonwine this wine next to them really shows the craftmanship of Musar.
1 person found it helpfulMay 15th, 2018
Signature Musar ripeness and oxidative style. A bit simple, but in a way these wines confirm the unique terroir of Bekka Valley every bit as much as those of the Château.
Signature Musar ripeness and oxidative style. A bit simple, but in a way these wines confirm the unique terroir of Bekka Valley every bit as much as those of the Château.
1 person found it helpfulApr 27th, 2018