Chateau Musar is an utterly unique, beguiling wine from the Lebanon, which could be said to have a cult following in the UK and internationally. Its uniqueness stems, I think, from a perfect combination of old world finesse and restraint, with new world ripeness and fruit. Particularly impressive is how the Musar character - exotic yet classical - comes across year after year, despite marked differences in vintage character and the final blend of the grapes. There is pretty much always Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Carignan, in varying proportions, with occasional help from Grenache and Mourvedre. The keen-eyed will notice something in common with those varieties - they're all French stalwarts. Serge Hochar, Musar's main winemaker for the last 50 years, learnt his craft in Bordeaux, and many aspects of Musar's production are steeped in French traditions.
Serge Hochar has described the 1995 (roughly equal proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Carignan) as his "fireworks vi…
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