Château Musar

Bekaa Valley Red Blend

9.220 ratings
9.23 pro ratings
Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan
Top Notes For
Jay Kline

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.

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.

Jul 1st, 2023
Sylvain Rhainds

2006. Classique. Que c est bon Musar!!!

2006. Classique. Que c est bon Musar!!!

Apr 5th, 2021
Guillermo Gonzalez

Unexpected surprise. Aromas of fruit, leather flagon and barnyard. Dense core of fruit and leather. Opened up nicely after a few hours. Pairing with halal chicken and rice actually worked.

Unexpected surprise. Aromas of fruit, leather flagon and barnyard. Dense core of fruit and leather. Opened up nicely after a few hours. Pairing with halal chicken and rice actually worked.

Jan 28th, 2021
David White

What a fabulous wine
Decanted and lots sediment left in bottle
Lovely floral tones with soft subtle tannins
Wine grew in stature over time and revealed complex nuances as it opened up

What a fabulous wine
Decanted and lots sediment left in bottle
Lovely floral tones with soft subtle tannins
Wine grew in stature over time and revealed complex nuances as it opened up

Apr 18th, 2020
Anthony De Blasi

Loved it big time! Very inviting spicy nose, still going strong on the red fruit which is well wrapped by medium acidity. I think the best is still to come but nevertheless in its drinking window

Loved it big time! Very inviting spicy nose, still going strong on the red fruit which is well wrapped by medium acidity. I think the best is still to come but nevertheless in its drinking window

Apr 11th, 2020
Dan Nordin - har bytt till Vivino

Till belugabolognesen passade det fint

Till belugabolognesen passade det fint

Aug 25th, 2019
Jordi Pazo

Vila. Tast Chateau Musar. 33% CS, 33% Cinsault, 33% Carignan. 41,50.
27.05.19

Vila. Tast Chateau Musar. 33% CS, 33% Cinsault, 33% Carignan. 41,50.
27.05.19

May 27th, 2019
Erick Davis

Lebanese delight.

Lebanese delight.

Dec 28th, 2018
Jeroen Wagemans

Musar night @ Divin
Pretty good 2011 red

Musar night @ Divin
Pretty good 2011 red

Jun 14th, 2018
Stanislav Lobanov

17.5/20 (93/100) Сложный и насыщенный аромат спелой чёрной смородины, сушеной вишни и чёрных лесных ягод, кедр и подлеска. Тельное с высокой кислотностью и достаточно интенсивными, зрелыми танинами. Насыщенное во вкусе. Отлично! #prowein2018

17.5/20 (93/100) Сложный и насыщенный аромат спелой чёрной смородины, сушеной вишни и чёрных лесных ягод, кедр и подлеска. Тельное с высокой кислотностью и достаточно интенсивными, зрелыми танинами. Насыщенное во вкусе. Отлично! #prowein2018

Mar 28th, 2018