WCC Ch Musar

My local tasting group met to taste Ch. Musar reds. One generous member provided all the reds. Another brought the one white.

All the reds were double-decanted and recorked between 2 and 3pm. However, for the 2014, 2013 and 2008, the corks were left out after rebottling for 75 minutes.

The Fort Orange Club is a great venue for these dinners since we get a private room and the food is superb and well matched to the wines.

Photos and more details can be found on my website.

Grilled Quail with a Port-Pomegranate Reduction, Wilted Frisee, Lardons, and Fried Shallots. Every bite was delicious.

• 2009 Chateau Musar Blanc 94 Points

  Lebanon, Bekaa Valley

  [Pop and pour.] Lovely nose of lemon custard and minerals. Expansive and delicious. Great mouth feel. I would never guess this was 15 years old.

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With the quail shown above.

• 2014 Chateau Musar 90 Points

  Lebanon, Bekaa Valley

  Bright red fruit in the nose. Very young in the mouth with lots of fruit and tannin. Hard to judge now. 90-93

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• 2013 Chateau Musar 93 Points

  Lebanon, Bekaa Valley

  Dark, smoky, red fruit nose. Smooth. Sweet black fruit. Long and complex. Very promising. 93-??

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• 2012 Chateau Musar 92 Points

  Lebanon, Bekaa Valley

  Nose of blackberries and spice. Thick, rich, young with some complexity and length. 92-??

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Cabernet-Braised, Maple Leaf Farms Duck Leg with Red Cabbage & Granny Smith Slaw, and Sour Cherry-Apricot Compote. This was so good and went so well with these wines.

• 2011 Chateau Musar 89 Points

  Lebanon, Bekaa Valley

  Lovely nose of red plums. Sour cherries in the mouth. Disjointed. 89-??

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• 2010 Chateau Musar 94 Points

  Lebanon, Bekaa Valley

  A more mature nose of red fruit and bark mulch. Juicy and spicy in the mouth. Shows well with the duck leg. Beautiful wine. 93-95

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• 2009 Chateau Musar 90 Points

  Lebanon, Bekaa Valley

  Bright red fruit nose. Palate of red fruit and spice. Lacks the lift of the 2010. May need more time.

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Elk Loin with Blackberry Bourbon Sauce, Petite Pomme Anne, and Asparagus & Wild Mushroom Sauté. Another delicious dish which paired really well with the wines.

• 2008 Chateau Musar 93 Points

  Lebanon, Bekaa Valley

  Expansive nose of cherries and tar. Long and juicy with appealing acidity. Needs time. 93-??

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• 2007 Chateau Musar 95 Points

  Lebanon, Bekaa Valley

  Big gamey red fruit nose. Rich, juicy, and complex in the mouth. Wow, this one feels fully ready to enjoy now, but could still get even better. WOTN so far. 95-??

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• 2005 Chateau Musar 91 Points

  Lebanon, Bekaa Valley

  Big, smokey red fruit nose. Tart juicy red fruit. Doesn't show as well after the 2007.

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Local Cheese Plate with Nancy’s Camembert, Jake’s Aged Gouda, R&G Ramp Cheese, Chatham Boujee Blue, Honeycomb, Preserves, Grapes and Berries. Lovely.

• 2004 Chateau Musar 93 Points

  Lebanon, Bekaa Valley

  Lots of smoke and spice with plenty of red and black fruit. Young, but tasty and complex. This might be my second favorite so far. 93-??

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• 2003 Chateau Musar 93 Points

  Lebanon, Bekaa Valley

  The most mature nose so far. Lots of red fruit and forest floor. Bright, complex, long and delicious. 93-??

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• 2002 Chateau Musar 93 Points

  Lebanon, Bekaa Valley

  Intense red fruit nose. Big and spicy in the mouth. Lots of pleasure here, esp. with the elk dish. 93-??

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• 1993 Chateau Musar 91 Points

  Lebanon, Bekaa Valley

  This is fully mature, maybe even past its prime. Lots of forest floor, leather, and dried cherries. Interesting, but not as fun to drink.

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I love tastings like this. It was so interesting to taste such a range of vintages. It was another great evening of great food, wine, and friends.