Another Speccie scoop: the first place to buy the new 2016 Chateau Musar

Readers (and writers) of The Spectator have long adored the wines of Château Musar, the cult winery of Lebanon. Indeed, thanks to our chums at Mr Wheeler, we have such a close relationship with the estate that our loyalty is being rewarded by yet another bona fide Speccie scoop: for the next month, this is the only place in the UK from which to buy the newly released 2016 Château Musar. This great wine is simply not available anywhere else currently and once it goes, it goes. So get cracking and don’t say I didn’t warn you.

There are other treats in this Musar offer too, including two remarkable back vintages, and in tasting them on your behalf I was joined by Michael Karam, author of Wines of Lebanon and occasional contributor to this magazine on Middle Eastern politics.

The 2016 Château Musar White (1) is an extraordinary wine. An oak-fermented blend of two indigenous varieties — Obaideh and Merwah — it’s likened by some to a mature dry white Bordeaux and by others to a Manzanilla. I reckon it could pass for old white Rhône and Mike thinks for old white Rioja. The truth is that it’s not like anything else at all. Yes, there’s that oxidative character, so typical of Musar, but there are also notes of honey, nuts, cream and citrus. It’s rich but dry and I’ll be frank: you might not like it. But if, like Mike and me, you do, you’ll absolutely lap it up. £27 down from £28.45.

The 2020 Musar Jeune Red (2) is the estate’s entry-level red, designed for instant carefree quaffing. An unoaked blend of Cinsault, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, it’s fresh, it’s fruity and it’s instantly appealing.