Jay Kline

9.4

It is customary for the wines of Chateau Musar to be released seven years post-vintage. However, in 2013, the decision was made to hold the vintage back. 2006 was unusual for two reasons. The first, were the cool climatic conditions in the Bekaa; the likes of which had not been seen since the 1950’s. There was a two-week period in winter where the valley was blanketed in snow and mild temperatures remained in effect throughout much of the growing season. The second was much more tragic: 2006 was a war year in Lebanon. On July 12th of that year, Israel and Hezbollah engaged in a bloody conflict that lasted (officially) a little over a month. Sadly, thousands of lives were lost. In 2017, eleven years after harvest, the 2006 vintage was deemed ready for release.

Poured into a decanter about 90min prior to service. The 2006 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of black cherry, blackberries, black currants, tobacco, horse blanket, leather, some red and purple flowers, dried herbs and Eastern spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and absolutely delicious. A triumph and perfect with lamb chops. Drink now through 2046+.

How Chateau Musar endures to make wines from the Bekaa remain one of the great examples of human grit and determination available in the world of wine. Frankly, it’s a minor miracle this vintage ever made it to the winery. — 5 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The 2012 pours a deep ruby/purple with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Montmorency cherry, blackberry, dill, toasted coconut, olive, zatar, and a touch of vanilla. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This only got better with air and might be my favorite young Tondonia since I first drank the 2006 vintage. Really good stuff already! Drink now with some patience and through 2042. — 8 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.6

Notes of toffee, honey & roasted nuts with perfect acidity — 9 months ago

Keith Crump

9.2

Simply delicious — 4 years ago

Michelle

9.0

I thought this was really tasty — 10 years ago

Jose Merino

9.7

This was a vertical of 38 vintages to celebrate Joseph Phelps Insignia 40th anniversary! My favorite vintage! It was a tie between this vintage and 74' but the 77' was the first time they used cab franc and that's what gave it a kick! — 12 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2013 vintage. Sweet fill and cork. Trashy label. Slightly less sed than expected. Big nose on the decant. Tasted after 1 hour open and 5 hours open. Medium heavy body. Roasted nuts, earth, plummy fruit and grilled beef nose and flavors. Finishing palate added a finely ground black pepper note. Consistent throughout and absolutely delicious. 05.23.25. — 6 months ago

Joe Flo

9.4

Very nice still very young. — 7 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course two days. Consistent throughout but the rotundone seemed most prominent on the nose, Day 1. The 2022 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe red and black fruits: mixed brambles, grilled meat, black pepper, garrigue, red and purple flowers, a touch of barnyard and a balanced mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, rich and spicy. My early assessments indicated this 2020 vintage to be a banger. It’s still early days and checking in at year five seems to confirm the trajectory. A wine of distinction. Drink now (and best with time to enjoy the transformation in the glass) and through 2050. — 7 months ago

Jerry Raphael

8.9

A little caramel on the nose and the first part of taste was not much but opened up midpalate to finish with caramel and spices.

This was a half bottle that cost $13.79 back in the day. Had this with dessert at Le Virtú in Philly — 9 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.6

Always my favorite vintage of Dominus showing no signs of slowing down. Purchased on release this is still youthful showing great balance & depth with red & dark berry fruits, plum, sweet spices, leather, tobacco & lead pencil. — 6 years ago

Criso Santiago

10

Very great vintage with a dry sweet texture wonderful with a nice home cooked meal, and the right person to enjoy it with :) — 11 years ago

Michael Lim

9.6

Still fresh. Amazing how well it's aged. — 13 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

This was actually the first wine we had at the Bordeaux first growth lunch last Saturday (which wasn’t a First Growth). No notes taken but it did show the quality of the 1982 vintage particularly from Paulliac, and was still going strong. — 6 months ago

Rob van Kalmthout

9.2

Still fresh with dominant scent of Sauvignon. Needs to balance out in dur time. Lovely with seefood — 6 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

A nice way to toast my daughter’s 33rd Birthday! Blend of Chardonnay (42%), Pinot Noir (39%) and Meunier (18%). Straw gold color. Ripe apple hits both the nose and palate immediately with additional notes of pie and bread dough, lemon, apricot, white flowers and fresh herbs. Distinct chalky/nutty note on the finish. Rich and full bodied. Acidity was a bit lighter than expected. Quite dry but extremely fruit forward. A bit lacking in effervescence and mousse but still quite enjoyable. Thank you for sharing and Happy Birthday, Kase! — 7 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.2

This has stared to show some secondary notes. Black fruits, with nice spice, floral & tobacco. Off their list — 9 months ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.4

Delicious on a cold winters’ eve.
From a half bottle. — 10 months ago

Cody Short

9.4

I’m not a fan of the 2003 vintage but this was really good. No stewed fruit, very elegant and expressive. Drinking great young — 7 years ago

Peter Scudamore-Smith MW

9.6

Five years cork age on this beauty; glad the decision was taken to drink (now who relies on natural cork); wildly full of pinot noir development; nose heaviness; layers of mature pinot tertiary aromatics; such as herbal oils, deep nuts, mushroom, aged yeast bits too; drunk with raw scallop, celery, fennel shavings, mullet bottarga; dressed with lime, olive oil; Pol brings out the savouriness of the green vegetables; salt of the sea, sweetness of scallop; all veges home grown; palate is full on; powerful, not the massiveness of Winston Churchill but same mould; square wine which hardly tapers in the mouth; the amazing feats of champagne! @polroger #polroger #champagne #1999 #pinot — 11 years ago