A great vermouth; easily stands on its own — 3 years ago
Another excellent btl, a little more than a year since my last. On the nose, wild strawberry doused in sugar, cotton candy, lovely green stem notes bring this back down to earth, then nice earthy notes. On the palate, fantastic acidity, soft strawberry, herbal notes, dark cherry, some bark and earth notes, and attenuated tannin on the clean and slightly spicy finish. Yum. — 5 years ago
Tasty lil half bottle german pinot noir, nice n minerally. Also half bottles make you feel like you have giant hands when pouring wine — 6 years ago
So subtle - dried orange peel, potpourri and creamed corn - a delight, thank Hugh — 6 years ago
Deep garnet red. Lovely nose with cedar, cigar box, tobacco leaves, and red cherries. Full bodied with medium tannins (7,5/10). Graphite on the palate followed by red cherries, dust, earth, dark spices and minerality. Nice balance throughout. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2040. — 7 years ago
Great wine, hurrah for D. Phinney — 8 years ago
Really good reasonable wine- £12 at waitrose — 12 years ago
Dark garnet center pulled to a lighter rim. Strong pepper, cedar, and worn leather on the nose. Full body with lovely balance of tannins and acidity. Hints of a Brandy cherry. A true expression of a French Cab Franc. Would pair nicely with steak frites on a bistro sidewalk. — 2 years ago
From 30-year old vines. 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha (no ‘11 made b/c Garnacha wasn’t great). Tempranillo spent 36 months on 4-year old American oak, Garnacha spent 30 months on 2-year old American oak. Ruby with nose of red fruit, cedar and floral citrus notes. On the palate flavors of cherry, currant and orange peel with vanilla, cacao and tobacco notes. Well developed, fine tannins, long finish ending with earthy mineral flavor. Very Nice! — 4 years ago
2002 lovely finesse long finish. — 5 years ago
4 yrs in oak, 4 yrs in bottle, 10% gracriano for acid and ageing, 90% temp
C:Garnet, med int,
A: med + int, cooked straw, chocolate, choc, tobacco, leather hints, aniseed, cloves, complex, vanillin obvious,
P: quite conc, long length, lovely rubber temp finish, soft tannins. spice, strawberry and mocha flavours persist.
Great classic wine with lots of concentration from a great year suggesting much more potential to come. 35 Euros.. Good value. Fab wine. Fully expect more tertiary flavours and complexity to come in time. — 6 years ago
Bright, clear ruby with a great nose of cassis, blackberry, violet and mint.
Beautiful length and finesse. Great impression of crushed fruit with hints of forest floor and cedar. The finish leaves a lasting impression of sweet red fruit and supported by a soft blanket of tannins. This is the proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove - just lovely — 7 years ago
Night in with Biag — 9 years ago
It was Father’s Day and I had decided on grilled rack of lamb for dinner so I selected this bottle of 2011 Chateau Musar rouge from our cellar. According to Musar’s records, the 2011 vintage was one of the most challenging since the early 1990’s. It was ultimately a late-maturing vintage with harvest taking place on October 13th, the latest since the 1983 vintage!
I decanted this bottle about eight hours prior to dinner. It should be noted that immediately upon opening, the bouquet was strikingly gorgeous with powerful aromatics that were obvious from several feet away and this trait carried through until dinner time.
In the glass, the wine presents a deep garnet color. Slightly turbid with a near opaque core. On the nose, black plums, blackberries, cassis, tobacco, organic earth, exotic spices, leather, spiced meat, and pomegranate. I detect a touch of VA as well. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the nose with an added bit of red rope licorice. Lovely, long, savory…amazing. This was a brilliant compliment to the lamb (which was served with beets and goat cheese and fattoush) and everything I wanted in a Musar tonight. Drinking well now with a hefty decant and I expect well cellared examples to drink well past 2035. — 2 years ago
Beautiful bottle great acidity giving it backbone balanced with a long finish — 5 years ago
Still too early to the party. Second time at this, still needs a few years. Oh has it changed in a year though. It’s massive. Deep nose of fruit, with silky tannins and deep black fruit on the palate. Olive and charcuterie. Round out this incredible expression of Syrah. Time will be kind but it’s limited — 5 years ago
Such a pretty wine which has shed severe tannins and reveals classic mature Bordeaux flavors. After an hour it opened up a lovely aromatic of muted red fruit and earthy tones. Finish had rolling and palate coating flavors with a very nice finish. Drink now for the pleasure it gives. — 7 years ago
I suspect this didn't get quite enough air. Not quite pop and pour but it was only open for 45 mins before we drank it (we were perhaps over-concerned about the mid shoulder level). Lovely (and lively) russet core with long legs as a ruby rim; nose of pencil shavings, cigar tubes (hint of metal with lots of tobacco), blackberry stalks, and lingering aromas of compté cheese rind and venerable (on-the-edge) rose petals; long and satisfying - persistent tannins and well integrated but still present acidity. From half bottle - need to give the next one more time!!! — 9 years ago
Soft and lovely — 10 years ago
Jay Kline

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Best on Day 2. The 2019 pours a pale garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Morello cherries, red roses, tangerine, pomegranate, talcum powder, dried sage, truffle, and dried stony earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and savory. A lovely expression of 2019 Barbaresco. Drink now with patience and through 2049. — 9 months ago