1999 Chateau Musar

[Alex Bridgeman]

I've always been a fan of the Hochar wines and Elizabeth and I decided to open this bottle tonight to go with a leg of Welsh lamb that we were having for dinner.

This wine is superb at the moment, probably at its peak. The nose was of sweet, ripe fruit. This sweet fruit carried into the mouth but was supported by a nice acidic structure with tannins present - but only if you looked for them. But the best feature of the wine was the fantastic aftertaste of cranberries that just went on for ages.

We don't often finish a full bottle between is in one sitting, but this bottle disappeared very quickly. 94/100. Fantastic value for money at £8 a bottle last summer.

[Frederick Blais]

You lucky!! Here Musar sells for 25 pounds!

I'll will attend a vertical on the 17th with M. Hochar. We have a bottle of 79 and we will have 9 others between 89 and 99.

I'll try to post my comments here.

[Alex Bridgeman]

I first came across Chateau Musar wines when travelling on an intercity train from London to Hull, many years ago. I was having dinner in the Restaurant car and wanted something to wash down my steak. They had half-bottles of Musar on their wine list and the price was very reasonable compared to the other half bottles. I tasted the wine and was very impressed.

Since then, we have usually had one or two bottles of a relatively recent vintage lying around in the house. One of the things that I particularly like about Musar is that the wines are not released or sold until they are ready to be drunk (although they will improve further with additional bottle time).

I had the 1979 2-3 years ago. I'll be very interested to hear what you think of them as I felt it was a little tired and was declining. For me, the Musar wines that are at their best are from the vintages 1999-1983. The drinking window for my personal taste seems to be about 8-25 years from the vintage.

It sounds like a great event, a tutored tasting led by one of the family. Enjoy.

Alex

[angeleyes]

Went to vertical a couple of weeks ago at Imperial College, tasting '99 thru to '93, and '89. Hadn't had Musar for a while, and it reminded me of the beautiful nose it has. The VA that it tends to have got quite overpowering after drinking through 8 vintages which also reminded me that it definitely requires food!

Generally better as it gets older, though I preferred '94, '89, and then possibly '93 or '95. My stock of '00 and '01 will therefore have to be left a while longer!

[Andy Velebil]

I didn't see this till now, but last Sunday I took a bottle of 2000 Chateau Musar to a dinner at Leslie's new house (She's part of a dry wine group I am part of called EWG) In was in many peoples top tier for the night. I loved it but thought that even at 9 years old it is still way to young. I have one more and stuck it away to age.

[KillerB]

I first came across Musar in 1991, in a restaurant in Harrogate and loved it. I have one or two bottles remaining from the mid nineties, will search them out. There is a second wine, simply called Hochar, which is pretty good as well.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Went to vertical a couple of weeks ago at Imperial College, tasting '99 thru to '93

Wish I'd known about that, I'd have made the effort to join the tasting. Who organised the event?

[RonnieRoots]

I'm a big fan of the wines of Musar. Although very atypical, the white Chateau Musar is also worthwhile, and capable of ageing. In addition to the second wine (Hochar), there is a third wine "Cuvee", which is very affordable and utterly quaffable.

LadyR and I visited the winery last summer (see here and click on the link in the TN). It was great and I would recommend going there to anyone who ever happens to be in Lebanon.

[angeleyes]

Went to vertical a couple of weeks ago at Imperial College, tasting '99 thru to '93

Wish I'd known about that, I'd have made the effort to join the tasting. Who organised the event?

It was the WES - http://www.wine-education-service.co.uk ... tings.html . They're doing a port and madeira tasting in December as well. Sandy Leckie (who hosted and was very knowledgable) says he does a Musar tasting every year. One for the diary methinks!

[angeleyes]

Although very atypical, the white Chateau Musar is also worthwhile, and capable of ageing.

I've read a lot about the white but never seen it anywhere, but would love to try. Thinking about it there was a good Lebanese restaurant called Kaslik on Greek St in Soho that had it, but we went for the red.

[Roy Hersh]

Now that I know you guys are Musar lovers, maybe I'll bring some mags with me to share. I have some beauties between 1988 and 1998 ... one or two young ones too. Great stuff, but so much better with a decade or three on 'em.

[Andy Velebil]

Now that I know you guys are Musar lovers, maybe I'll bring some mags with me to share. I have some beauties between 1988 and 1998 ... one or two young ones too. Great stuff, but so much better with a decade or three on 'em.

Never say no to Musar. Love them and I don't think they get the respect they deserve.

[mosesbotbol]

Sure wish they were more readily available.

[angeleyes]

If anyone knows of a tasting then I'd be keen to attend

[angeleyes]

Alas, couldn't wait any longer and cracked open an '01. Lovely stuff, a touch underdeveloped and tannins a little more evident than what I've noticed before. Lamb joint in the oven, they ought to go nicely together

[angeleyes]

There's another tasting at Imperial College on May 20th.

"Thursday 20th May (KEN) Chateau Musar - £45

Another chance to taste a range of mature wines from this world famous Lebanese property. This time, we will show two vintages of Serge Hochar's distinctive white wine and the '02, '01, '00, '99, 95 and '89 of his warm, spicy, Rhône-like red.

This tasting will be tutored by Sandy.

Availability - Good."

[smisse]

Did anyone try the Musar from 1997?

[RonnieRoots]

Yes I tried it, but it was some time ago. Have a look here for the TN.

[angeleyes]

Did anyone try the Musar from 1997?

I tried it last October (along with several other vintages):

"Tasted in this order:

1999- dull red/brown, plums, sweet port-like smell, touch of mint. Plummy taste, tangy acidity

1998- similar colour to 99, smell very different- wood, vanilla, earthy. A little thinner, acidity quite refreshing

1997- deeper ruby colour; smell similar to 98 but stronger and more perfumed. Slightly fuller body than 98, with stronger acidity

1996- Red going tawny; meaty/umami nose with a touch of almonds. Richer and more rounded

1995- Deeper red brown; pungent almonds; wood and fruit coming out, and alcohol more noticable

1994- similar colour to 95; smell of farmyards/cow fields; sweeter taste

1993- no appearance note; smell similar but less strong to the 94; taste a little weaker and thinner

1989-no appearance note; farmyard smell, but different to 94 and 93 somehow. Warming and smoky."

[smisse]

thanks both. I can buy some for 12,50EUR / bottle and will take the opportunity now. Seems an interesting wine!

[RonnieRoots]

12,50 is a steal. A couple of years ago the standard price was between 25-30 euro.

[KillerB]

12,50 is a steal. A couple of years ago the standard price was between 25-30 euro.

My thoughts exactly. Smisse, please buy as many as you can and we will retrieve them from you at the Dutch off-line. Happy to transfer cash upfront.

[RonnieRoots]

12,50 is a steal. A couple of years ago the standard price was between 25-30 euro.

My thoughts exactly. Smisse, please buy as many as you can and we will retrieve them from you at the Dutch off-line. Happy to transfer cash upfront.

A very good idea KillerB, I'll second that.

[smisse]

I'll check how many he has available.

[KillerB]

I'll check how many he has available.

Thanks - that will be thoroughly appreciated