Chateau Musar 2019
- In stock, ready to ship
Unique in the world of fine wine, Lebanon-based Château Musar seems to consistently eschew the vagaries of vintage variation, fashions promoted by critics and inexplicable price ‘repositioning’. Probably for these reasons, and many others, it remains a firm favourite with our customers, inspiring a fiercely loyal following.
2019 was an abnormal year in Lebanon with record winter rainfall in the Bekaa Valley - a welcome relief after several years of drought. Overall a cooler vintage, one of balance and finesse. A blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Carignan, the wine spent a year in untoasted French oak barrels and further four years in bottle in the deep stone cellars of the estate, before release.
The 2019 vintage is dark, brooding and deeply coloured, with a vivid blood-red hue. The nose is complex and layered, offering ripe blueberry and cranberry alongside savoury notes of black olive and a hint of clove. On the palate, these flavours are echoed and expanded with cherry, plum and sweet spice. Lively acidity and fine, well-integrated tannins lend balance and precision, creating a harmonious and expressive wine. Expressive and ready for drinking upon it’s release at 7 years of age, it will continue to evolve gracefully over the next 10-15 years.
17.5/20 - Mid ruby, soft but not yet brick-coloured at the rim. Rich aroma of senescent red fruits, sweet leather and a suggestion of incense. Classic Musar layers of fruit and complex tertiary aromas, spicy. As always, sui generis. The tannins are firm, leathery but somehow taste sweet, with brisk red-fruit sweetness and yet fresh-tasting on the long finish. It’s unusual that the Cabernet does not dominate in a blend like this but the oxidative winemaking seems to give equal place to all three varieties. As it opens, that impression of incense turns into a floral note akin to lavender. Deliciously chewy on the finish, satisfyingly complete. If past vintages are anything to go by, this should continue to age for many years since it is already harmoniously evolved. Dry and leathery on the finish but not in the least drying. It does need food. - Jancis Robinson MW
Château Musar was founded in 1930 by Gaston Hochar, then just 20 years old, inspired by Lebanon’s 6,000-year winemaking heritage and his travels to Bordeaux. In 1959, Gaston’s eldest son, Serge Hochar, became winemaker after studying oenology in Bordeaux under the great Émile Peynaud, and went on to spend 19 years refining the formula for Château Musar red.
Today, Château Musar is run by the third generation of the Hochar family, led by Serge’s son Gaston. Joined by his brother Marc, their cousin Ralph, and winemaker Tarek Sakr, who has been with the estate since 1991, the family continues its non-interventionist philosophy to make wines that express the best of their terroir and grape varieties. In 2006, Château Musar became the first Lebanese winery to achieve organic certification.
Bottle Size: 75CL
ABV: 13.5%
Vintage: 2019
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