Community Tasting Note

Tuesday, December 8, 2015 - Italian Wine Class, and a Musar! (SF Wine Center): 2001 Chateau Musar

Perfectly integrated, well-ahead of the 1999 (still disjointed a few months ago). Supple, not powerful. Just an absolute pleasure.
Red cherries, dried strawberries, rye, subdued tamari with slight balsamic prickle, browned liquorice. This isn't arresting as the '95, but rather it's a quieter, equally thoughtful companion. Effortlessly transportive. With it's constant shifting and ease, it makes me think of friendships. Of the people I've met and the conversations I've loved. Of my friend, Tim, who shared the bottle with me. Of friendships born out of music, climbing, work, school, wine - friendships that transcended the genre in which they emerged.

I wouldn't change anything about this wine.
Score: Around 9.5

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3 comments have been posted

Comment posted by Kirk Grant:

12/9/2015 4:27:00 AM - Rajiv,

Based on your comments on the 2001 I think you'll also want to try to find a source for the 2004. They're very similar in style when looking at Musar. I think the 1999 is similar to the 2002 & 2005. Given my chance to taste that large vertical I'm a pretty firm believer that red Musar has three distinct styles...BOLD, BEAUTIFUL, and ATYPICAL. I'd think of the 1997 & 2003 as examples that are atypical. The 1993, 1999, 2002 as bold. The 1995, 1998, 2001, & 2004 as beautiful. I think if you can ever set up a multi-decate tasting of Musar you'll finally be able to see what I'm talking about. I hope all is well in Cali...Kirk
Comment posted by RajivAyyangar:

12/9/2015 12:11:00 PM - Thanks for the insight Kirk- I've got a bottle of the 2004 to open soon. Hope things are well in Maine!
Comment posted by RajivAyyangar:

4/12/2016 1:16:00 AM - My impression of the '04 was actually a bit more muscular than beautiful. Maybe closer to what the '94 is doing now, or the '91.