For those new to the wine, the Chateau Musar Red is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan and Cinsault from vineyards near the Bekaa Valley villages of Aana and Kefraya on gravelly soils over limestone. Planted from the 1930s onwards, yields are low from these mature bush vines (average age: 40 years). After 4 years’ bottle maturation in the deep stone cellars of Chateau Musar, the finished wines are released a full seven years after the harvest.
Pale, particularly bright garnet. Light, spicy, particularly well-integrated nose. Already well developed. Sweet start and very nicely mature. Seems just right now. The opposite of heavy. Lifted, jewel-bright. Really lovely wine. Fresh, sweet with some very slight mintiness. Dry finish and it would go beautifully with food. Very long. One of my favourite wines in this collection. Is it the Cinsault I like so much?
Drinking Window: 2012 - 2030
Reviewer Name: Jancis Robinson MW
Review Date: 2nd February 2018
The 1998 Chateau Musar is a rather prototypical Musar – lots of acidity, some brett, fine structure. It reveals a more gentle style on opening, but aeration proves how much underlying power it actually has. (That is, a lot.) There is a good analogy here to the 1994, concerning both how they showed early on and later. There is plenty of power, tannin and acidity, but there is also some balance. I loved the silky texture, emphasized in this vintage. It finishes with a controlled bang. This greatly benefitted from some air, showing layers that I did not initially think it had, but it does seem a bit on the lighter side. Drink now-2030.
Drinking Window: 2013 - 2030
Reviewer Name: Mark Squires
Review Date: 28th June 2013
- Details
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- Year 1998
- Colour Red
- Country Lebanon
- Region Bekaa Valley
- Sub Region NA
- Designation
- Classification
- Pack Size 6x75cl
- ABV 13.50°
- Drinking Window 2013 - 2030
- Drinking Recommendation Perfect Now, will keep
- LWIN 110667319980600750
- Reviews (2)
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18.5 Jancis Robinson
Pale, particularly bright garnet. Light, spicy, particularly well-integrated nose. Already well developed. Sweet start and very nicely mature. Seems just right now. The opposite of heavy. Lifted, jewel-bright. Really lovely wine. Fresh, sweet with some very slight mintiness. Dry finish and it would go beautifully with food. Very long. One of my favourite wines in this collection. Is it the Cinsault I like so much?
Drinking Window: 2012 - 2030
Reviewer Name: Jancis Robinson MW
Review Date: 2nd February 2018
90 Wine AdvocateThe 1998 Chateau Musar is a rather prototypical Musar – lots of acidity, some brett, fine structure. It reveals a more gentle style on opening, but aeration proves how much underlying power it actually has. (That is, a lot.) There is a good analogy here to the 1994, concerning both how they showed early on and later. There is plenty of power, tannin and acidity, but there is also some balance. I loved the silky texture, emphasized in this vintage. It finishes with a controlled bang. This greatly benefitted from some air, showing layers that I did not initially think it had, but it does seem a bit on the lighter side. Drink now-2030.
Drinking Window: 2013 - 2030
Reviewer Name: Mark Squires
Review Date: 28th June 2013
- Producer
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Gaston Hochar started Chateau Musar in 1930 in Ghazir. The Hochar’s are of French origin but stayed after the crusades. They have taken up the region’s 6,000 year old wine heritage as Lebanon’s best wine producer. Remarkably they have made wine every year, except 1976 and 1984, even through civil wars. Their long lived red blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan and Cinsault. Uniquely it is only blended after 3 years in separate barrels, then aged for another 4 before release.
- Value Comparison
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Musar Red
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