Ch-teau Musar - 1989 - Libanon
yr. 2014 Tom Cannavan:
92 of 100 Points.
"Tom Cannavan" has rated the wine "Chateau Musar" from the vintage 2014 on 01.01.2021 with 92 of 100 points.
"(2021) First a caveat that this was only a sample of Musar, delivered to me in a miniaturised bag-in-box type format, which I did not have a chance to open for a few days after it arrived, so notes and scores taken with that caveat please. It's a remarkably dense and deep young Musar, depth of colour with immediately plummy and smooth aromas, a little cherry lift coming through as well as some smoky, tobacco spice. In the mouth the sheer abundance of fruit is almost shocking: masses of ripe berries and plum again, the underpinning of the creamy and cedary oak, smooth, chocolate-dense tannins and very nice, pert acidity. This is a particularly generous and full Musar vintage, and could well be worth more than my modest 92 point score, which I will update when I have a chance to taste from a freshly opened bottle."
yr. 2013 Tom Cannavan:
94 of 100 Points.
"Tom Cannavan" has rated the wine "Chateau Musar" from the vintage 2013 on 01.01.2020 with 94 of 100 points.
"(2020) Musar famously releases it's wines only when they think they are ready to drink, typically seven years after vintage. So this is the latest release at time of review, a blend of Cinsault, Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon from very old vines grown at over 1,000 metres altitude in the Bekaa Valley. It seems to me to be an outstanding Musar, filled with gently lifted aromatics of kirsch and blackcurrant, all framed by a graphite and cedar notes of serious, savoury and Bordeaux-like character. In the mouth the sweet, ripe fruit is enveloping, but the wine has such fabulous concentration and supple, firm structure at its core, all polished tannins and gastronomic acid-balance, the pure, sweet fruit persisting to the elegant, very long finish. A wonderfully impressive young Musar this, irresistable now, but capable of substantial cellaring too, Musar tending to transition from something like Bordeaux, to something closer to Burgundy, over decades."
yr. 1998 Vinum Wine Magazine:
18 of 20 Points.
"Vinum Wine Magazine" has rated the wine "Chateau Musar" from the vintage 1998 on 01.05.2019 with 18 of 20 points.
"Am Rand schon etwas hell geworden, aber im Aroma und auf der Zunge noch zeitlos frisch; weich und rund, elegant und schmeichelnd."
yr. 2011 Vinum Wine Magazine:
18 of 20 Points.
"Vinum Wine Magazine" has rated the wine "Chateau Musar" from the vintage 2011 on 01.05.2019 with 18 of 20 points.
"Einer der Musar-Weine, der ein langes Leben hat, etwa wie der 1974er, der bei einer Kellerprobe eine balsamische Note hatte. Delikate Aromen; fester Biss, zupackend, elegant, reife Gerbstoffe, feurig"
yr. 2004 Wine Enthusiast:
88 of 100 Points.
"Wine Enthusiast" has rated the wine "Chateau Musar" from the vintage 2004 on 01.01.2013 with 88 of 100 points.
"Enticing whiffs of spice, dried herb and ripe, briary berries emerge from this rich, structured wine. The fruit on the palate is lavish, almost pulpy, but it's framed by lush tannins and brisk acidity. The finish is herbal and bracing."
yr. 1998 Tom Cannavan:
93 of 100 Points.
"Tom Cannavan" has rated the wine "Chateau Musar" from the vintage 1998 on 01.01.2012 with 93 of 100 points.
"(2012) Such a pale colour and a beautiful nose, with gentle spice and floral notes, and soft, bracken and gently truffly, mushroomy notes. The palate is delicious, with a cappuccino softness and such lovely flavours with rhubarb and sweet black fruits, the flavours fully melded. This is drinking beautifully, with such lovely balance and freshness, with elegance and really long finish. Though Serge thinks this is not yet ready, I thought it was delicious and drinking perfectly."
yr. 2003 Tom Cannavan:
92 of 100 Points.
"Tom Cannavan" has rated the wine "Chateau Musar" from the vintage 2003 on 01.01.2012 with 92 of 100 points.
"(2012) Lots of lift with a big, leafy and vegetal aromas with fennel, nuts and herbs. There is good berry fruit too, in a typically wild, but complex and forward style. Beautifully sweet fruit on the palate, the liquorice concentration and twist of chicory adding grip and tension, but sweet fruit plays into the finish."
yr. 1974 Tom Cannavan:
92 of 100 Points.
"Tom Cannavan" has rated the wine "Chateau Musar" from the vintage 1974 on 01.01.2012 with 92 of 100 points.
"(2012) At this time there was more than 50% Cinsault. Transparently pale ruby/tawny. Old, sweet, brown sugar and vaguely dank and leafy and vegetal, cep mushroom notes. The palate has real sweetness and a touch of that coffee and chocolate smoothness and richness, the lovely red fruit elegance comes through again, with very nice balance in the finish. Though spicy, the lingering impression is of its sweet fruit."
yr. 1999 Tom Cannavan:
92 of 100 Points.
"Tom Cannavan" has rated the wine "Chateau Musar" from the vintage 1999 on 01.01.2012 with 92 of 100 points.
"(2012) The 1999 was not tasted at the winery but poured over lunch. Unfortunately it had not been decanted and as luck would have it the young waiter poured me the last of the bottle which was thick with sediment. So very difficult to judge, but it had a gorgeous nose with a ripeness of cherry and cassis fruit smoothed by cappuccino, spice and a savoury grilled-meat quality. I think this is probably an extremely good Musar and look forward to tasting it again."
yr. 1986 Falstaff:
94 of 100 Points.
"Falstaff" has rated the wine "Chateau Musar" from the vintage 1986 on 01.05.2011 with 94 of 100 points.
"Leuchtendes Ziegelrot mit bersteinfarbenen Reflexen und einem breiten Bernsteinrand. Rote Bete, erdige Nuancen und Teeblätter steigen in die Nase, gefolgt von dunklen Beeren und einem Hauch Paprika. Auch am Gaumen entwickeln sich dunkle Früchte, gepaart mit dunkler Schokolade, Kaffee, Edelhölzern und etwas Orangentee. Kaum mehr wahrnehmbare Tannine. Kräuter und reife Kirschen im Nachhall, bleibt noch lange haften. Mindestens zwei bis drei Stunden vor Genuss dekantieren. Hat trotz seiner Reife noch enorme Kraft und Länge ? und noch weiteres Reifepotenzial. Solo ein Erlebnis, aber auch ein guter Speisenbegleiter."
yr. 1964 Falstaff:
92 of 100 Points.
"Falstaff" has rated the wine "Chateau Musar" from the vintage 1964 on 01.05.2011 with 92 of 100 points.
"In einem kräftigen Kupferrot strahlt dieser Wein mit einem breiten bernsteinfarbenen Rand und einem dunklen Farbkern. Unbedingt mindestens 24 Stunden dekantieren, damit er sein gesamtes Repertoire und seine Schönheit entfalten kann. Das Bukett glänzt durch sein komplexes Zusammenspiel aus Pilzen, Trüffeln, Leder und Teeblättern. Am Gaumen seidig, Dörrpflaumen, Süßholz, feiner Schokoladenanklang, Tabak und kandierte Orangenzesten. Perfekt ausgereifte Tannine. Nuancen von eingelegten Rosinen im langen Nachhall. Zeigt sich trotz seines Alters noch sehr kraftvoll ? daher: Ende der Genussphase noch nicht erreicht. Guter Beweis für die von Serge Hochar oft betonte Dynamik und Tiefe seiner Weine."
yr. 1998 Falstaff:
91 of 100 Points.
"Falstaff" has rated the wine "Chateau Musar" from the vintage 1998 on 01.05.2011 with 91 of 100 points.
"Leuchtendes, helles Granatrot, ziegelfarbene Reflexe und Kranz. Cassis, rote Beeren und Pflaumen strömen aus dem Glas, dazu ein Hauch Vanille, Tabak und Gewürze. Gut strukturiert mit roten Früchten, feiner Säure und gut eingebundenen Tanninen. Langes, leicht mineralisches Finale mit Anklängen an Salbei und Eukalyptus. Schon jetzt ein außergewöhnlicher Wein und guter Speisenbegleiter (Lamm, Wildbret), auch wenn er laut Serge Hochar seinen Höhepunkt noch nicht erreicht hat. Großes Reifepotenzial."
yr. 2003 Falstaff:
89 of 100 Points.
"Falstaff" has rated the wine "Chateau Musar" from the vintage 2003 on 01.05.2011 with 89 of 100 points.
"Tiefes Rubingranat. Im Glas entwickelt sich ein Bukett aus dunklen Beerenfrüchten mit Gewürzen, Zedernholz, aber auch nussige und leicht oxidative Nuancen. Am Gaumen weich, fast samtig, dunkle Früchte und Süßkirsche, ein Hauch Kakao. Feine, fast pudrige Tannine. Langes, mildes Finale. Großes Reifepotenzial, jetzt ein guter Speisenbegleiter zu Kurzgebratenem oder Gegrilltem."
yr. 2000 Wine Enthusiast:
91 of 100 Points.
"Wine Enthusiast" has rated the wine "Chateau Musar" from the vintage 2000 on 01.01.2011 with 91 of 100 points.
"Exceptional concentration, structure and balance mark this 11-year old blend of Cab, Cinsault and Carignan that's ripe with cassis and plums and a plume of smoke, earth and barnyard funk. Tannins subdued into a powdery softness, it's elegantly textured yet full and forward with a rich, layered complexity."
yr. 2002 Wine Enthusiast:
88 of 100 Points.
"Wine Enthusiast" has rated the wine "Chateau Musar" from the vintage 2002 on 01.01.2011 with 88 of 100 points.
"Sweet on the nose with aromas of cherry and strawberry preserves, the 2002 Gaston Hochar is softer and jammier on the palate than the 2000 vintage. Prolonged aeration reveals smoke, vanilla, and toast notes and lush, smooth tannins that linger elegantly."
yr. 2001 Wine Enthusiast:
83 of 100 Points.
"Wine Enthusiast" has rated the wine "Chateau Musar" from the vintage 2001 on 01.01.2009 with 83 of 100 points.
"Cinnamon and nutmeg spice on the nose gives this Cinsault/Carignan/Cabernet/Syrah blend from Lebanon a comforting character. On the palate, it offers smoke, spice and nuts. Slightly heavy on the palate, but overall, an intriguing alternative for hearty dishes."
yr. 1999 Wine Enthusiast:
85 of 100 Points.
"Wine Enthusiast" has rated the wine "Chateau Musar" from the vintage 1999 on 01.01.2009 with 85 of 100 points.
"Plum, red berry, cinnamon and mint aromas give this savory-style red from Lebanon a serious start. Soft and elegant on the palate but with a touch of spice and lively acid, the wine is balanced and unfolding, and will pair well with dishes that offer complex spice. An interesting red with exotic appeal."
yr. 1991 Tom Cannavan:
89 of 100 Points.
"Tom Cannavan" has rated the wine "Chateau Musar" from the vintage 1991 on 01.01.2002 with 89 of 100 points.
"(2002) Big, coffeeish, rich nose. Lots of fruit, a bit of smoke, but mostly raspberry and spice. Quite a powerful palate, with more raspberry fruit and grippy tannins. There's really quite a chocolaty depth of texture here, with some spicy oak and good length."
yr. 1986 Tom Cannavan:
92 of 100 Points.
"Tom Cannavan" has rated the wine "Chateau Musar" from the vintage 1986 on 01.01.2000 with 92 of 100 points.
"(2000) Pale ruby, fading to amber. Lightly sherried nose but lots of warm berry fruit too. On the palate it has rich, sweet, mature flavours of leather and game with brown sugar and stewed raisiny flavours. Little herbal nuances. Very complete and resolved, there are still spicy tannins in the finish and balance that suggests it will hold for some time."
yr. 1981 Tom Cannavan:
92 of 100 Points.
"Tom Cannavan" has rated the wine "Chateau Musar" from the vintage 1981 on 01.01.2000 with 92 of 100 points.
"(2000) Medium dark, quite opaque browning ruby colour. Volatile notes with very farmyardy aromas. Tar, cherry, tobacco and spice. Palate is weighty and shows high alcohol, and tannins are still quite grippy. They are integrated however, with a solid core of silky strawberry fruit and bittersweet game and Christmas cake spice flavours. Long and terrifically sweet, this is drinking beautifully but should hold a few years yet."
yr. 1994 Tom Cannavan:
92 of 100 Points.
"Tom Cannavan" has rated the wine "Chateau Musar" from the vintage 1994 on 01.01.2000 with 92 of 100 points.
"(2000) The current vintage. Colour is medium ruby. It has a clean nose of cherry, menthol and spices. There is some brooding animal, slightly toffeed character beneath. Very sweetly fruited on the palate with lovely red cherry and strawberry flavours and a fine backbone of tobacco and smoky oak, ripe tannins and good acidity. Balanced and elegant, yet powerful with good length."
yr. 1975 Tom Cannavan:
90 of 100 Points.
"Tom Cannavan" has rated the wine "Chateau Musar" from the vintage 1975 on 01.01.2000 with 90 of 100 points.
"(2000) Warm brick red of medium density. A very sweet vanilla-infused nose, with notes of caramel and toasty oak. Loads of tobacco. On the palate plenty of sour-edged, juicy fruit flavours fend off highish acidity, but there is good concentration and balance overall with a long, clean, slightly spicy finish."
yr. 1988 Tom Cannavan:
89 of 100 Points.
"Tom Cannavan" has rated the wine "Chateau Musar" from the vintage 1988 on 01.01.2000 with 89 of 100 points.
"(2000) Medium ruby with browning rim. Quite a volatile nose with baked plum and warm, tarry aromas. Lots of sweet, gamey perfume too. On the palate it is gripped by tannins that are mouth-puckering. There are flavours of brown sugar, and herbal, earthy fruit though quite rich and sweet. Very nice balance and a long, savoury and clearly defined finish."
50.00 %
