Chateau Musar is an extraordinary wine boasting an almost fanatical following. It’s made in the most unlikely of places – Lebanon’s sun-baked, war-torn Bekaa Valley – and my much-missed predecessor, the great Simon Hoggart, adored it, his enthusiasm doing much to bring it to a wider audience.
We at the Spectator Wine Club are fortunate that one of our partners – The Wine Company is one of Musar’s partners and the first to offer the most recent vintage, exclusively through these pages and at the best possible price. Ah, me, there’s nothing like a good, old-fashioned threesome where everyone goes home happy with a smile on their face.
The 2012 Musar Jeune (1) is from the new range of young, unoaked, easy-going wines designed for immediate drinking. A blend of Cinsault, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, it’s soft, smooth and quaffable, full of blackberries, blackcurrants and cherries. £10.25 down from £11.99.
The 2011 Hochar Pere et Fils Rouge (2) is a step up in quality and extremely satisfying. Made from low-yielding, single vineyard Cinsault, Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache, it’s aged in oak for nine months and is rich and succulent with dark fruit flavours underpinned by a touch of spicy herbs. £12.75 down from £14.99.
Musar releases its grand vin only when it’s ready to drink and we are the only ones currently offering the wonderful 2009 Chateau Musar (3). There are violets and ripe red berry fruit from Cinsault; spice, liquorice and burly backbone from Carignan; blackcurrant, blackberry and silky elegance from Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s ready to drink, yes, but there’s no rush. £21.00 down from £24.00.
As for the older vintages, the 2003 Chateau Musar (4) is big and powerful, intense and amey, strolling cockily into its muscular prime. There’s plenty of spicy fruit here – plums, damsons, figs, black cherries – but it’s also surprisingly fresh with fine cleansing acidity. £23.00 down from £26.00.
The 1997 Chateau Musar (5) is in absolute peak condition, silky smooth with juicy, fleshy fruit and a touch of elusive smokiness and exotic, festive spice. It’s carrying its age well and is almost Rioja-like in its mellow maturity. £27.50 down from £32.00.
As for the 1991 Chateau Musar (6), it was a spectacular year. The wine is big-boned and brooding with great concentration of rich, red, spicy fruit with notes of leather, ink, tobacco and mocha, too, and the longest of finishes. £45.00 down from £56.00.
Finally, for the well-heeled, there are the classic back vintages of 1986, 1982, 1977 and 1966 Chateau Musar. These are incredibly rare. Grab them now. Superb – even unmissable – wines for those few that can afford the eyewatering prices.
Comments