Château Musar
Gaston Hochar Grand Cru Red Blend
Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
Ash, forest floor, mushroom, tar, graphite, minerality, hawthorn, red cherry juice. Super soft integrated tannins and acidity.
Ash, forest floor, mushroom, tar, graphite, minerality, hawthorn, red cherry juice. Super soft integrated tannins and acidity.
Oct 5th, 2023
I had a few members of the Tasting Group crew join me in a sort of, "help me drink down my cellar" gathering. Everyone had an opportunity to dig through the cellar and select a bottle of their choosing; the identity of the wine was kept from everyone else and then presented double-blind though, since the bottles were being pulled from my cellar, it wasn't a true double-blind situation for me. This was poured into a decanter and served within two hours of opening. The wine poured a deep ruby, bordering garnet color and slightly turbid. On the nose, it was immediately apparent that this was a vinous wine with abundant ripe red and black fruits some of which came across bruised and desiccated. Along with the fruit was a striking smell of barnyard funk, pipe tobacco, leather, and exotic spices. On the palate, the wine was dry and the fruit set was more or less confirmed. The fruit was gorgeous, fully mature and the finish was long and savory. The tannins were pretty well integrated. Plenty of acid to keep everything afloat. I was headed to the Rhone based off the evidence, something with age and probably from a traditional producer in Chateauneuf du Pape. Due to the color, signs of sediment, abundance of dried fruit and the strong presence of secondary characteristics, I figured this was at least 15 years old from a warmer vintage. After thinking, I called 2005 Pegau. After drinking the 2005 Pegau later, I don't hate my call. This wine is singing and will likely last for at least another decade.
I had a few members of the Tasting Group crew join me in a sort of, "help me drink down my cellar" gathering. Everyone had an opportunity to dig through the cellar and select a bottle of their choosing; the identity of the wine was kept from everyone else and then presented double-blind though, since the bottles were being pulled from my cellar, it wasn't a true double-blind situation for me. This was poured into a decanter and served within two hours of opening. The wine poured a deep ruby, bordering garnet color and slightly turbid. On the nose, it was immediately apparent that this was a vinous wine with abundant ripe red and black fruits some of which came across bruised and desiccated. Along with the fruit was a striking smell of barnyard funk, pipe tobacco, leather, and exotic spices. On the palate, the wine was dry and the fruit set was more or less confirmed. The fruit was gorgeous, fully mature and the finish was long and savory. The tannins were pretty well integrated. Plenty of acid to keep everything afloat. I was headed to the Rhone based off the evidence, something with age and probably from a traditional producer in Chateauneuf du Pape. Due to the color, signs of sediment, abundance of dried fruit and the strong presence of secondary characteristics, I figured this was at least 15 years old from a warmer vintage. After thinking, I called 2005 Pegau. After drinking the 2005 Pegau later, I don't hate my call. This wine is singing and will likely last for at least another decade.
Jan 28th, 2022
Took a while to come out but when it did it was excellent. A few too many high notes and spice to be a higher score and the nose wasn’t my favourite. Cherries and cigar box on the nose, morello cherry on the palette. All told, I’d certainly recommend it, perhaps I’d give it another 5years though.
Took a while to come out but when it did it was excellent. A few too many high notes and spice to be a higher score and the nose wasn’t my favourite. Cherries and cigar box on the nose, morello cherry on the palette. All told, I’d certainly recommend it, perhaps I’d give it another 5years though.
Apr 8th, 2023
