Château Musar
Château Pavie Macquin
Saint-Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 1995
1995. Medium garnet in the glass, this had a beautiful nose of sweet tobacco, brown liquorice in the sun, light tones of stewed savory bell pepper, concentrated notes of black raspberry liqueur, and an underlying tamari savoriness (very light, not at the level that I get on Musar). It’s the next day and I’m still getting flashbacks.
In the mouth it felt a bit short. Medium body, medium alcohol, medium acid, definitely plusher than Leoville Barton (both due to youth and probably because this is Right Bank / merlot based vs. Left Bank / cab based). Think a light fur coat. The finish is mostly acid and tannins though. Mostly I smelled this.
LM and BD shared their experience and put this wine into context: This is a solid example but will get better in 5-10 years. Still a bit young to their taste.
Score: Between 9 and 9.5. Despite the promise of improving with age, I was so stoked on this that I will probably drink my other bottle soon-ish. As in tonight. As in I might be drinking it right now.
Vineyard: 80% merlot, 18% cab franc, 2% cab — 11 years ago
R. López de Heredia
Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Blanco Malvasia Viura 2000
Compelling and relatively primary (compared to some of the others here) with ripe green apple skins and slight bruised apple skin acetaldehyde.
Medium body, medium alcohol, and vibrant elevated acidity. Ripe, savory, and just a bit of animal fur Brett influence on the palate that reminds me of the savoriness of Musar Blanc. — 10 years ago
Valli Unite
Rosatea Rosé Blend
Nose reminds me of a funky chauteau musar. Slight effervescence. Plenty of summer berries - strawberries and blueberries. Viscous mouthfeel. Dry tart finish. Lovely. — 11 years ago
Château Ksara
Reserve du Couvent Bekaa Valley Syrah Blend 2012
Nice and interesting, but not quite Musar. — 10 years ago
Château Musar
Cuvée Blanc White Blend 2003
Who'd have known an 11 year old Musar made of Obaideh would be SO moving? Ah! Fruit day to be sure... — 11 years ago
Domaine des Tourelles
Vallée de la Bekaa Red Blend 2011
Not as good as Chauteau Musar but still excellent value. — 11 years ago
Martin Frowde
Bought this after having been blown away by the 2012 Cornish point from Felton road. Quite a bright red colour with an interesting bouquet of dark chocolate and fig (musar-esque). To taste there is plum, cherry and a little of that fig again bringing some savoury sweetness. A smooth and soft wine, without the acid edge you often get with Pinot noir. Not as sophisticated a wine as the Cornish point but very much quaffable. — 10 years ago