WTN: Musar 1982

• 1982 Chateau Musar - Lebanon, Bekaa Valley (12/24/2007) magnum
  
  
  
  With a chunk of beef, covered in herbs, left a bit bloody (always lovely with Musar and traditional style Riojas IMO!). This is a light wine for Musar. It started out rather simplistically sweet, but gained weight and nuance with an hour in a decanter. The nose is aromatically typical for the property with its sweet, cherried nose with a touch of earth and peach stone - yet it seems atypical in that there isn't much volatility and it smells very, very clean.
  
  At first the palate was sweet and unstructured. It was paradoxical since it was at the same time cloying yet very light. But once again, air helped and brought focus. It isn't a highly acidic or volatile wine, but the tannins and acidity are enough to keep the fruit in check. This isn't a great Musar, but it is fully mature and does bring much pleasure. In fact, I would presume this is an "easy" Musar - so one to convert new followers with

Posted from CellarTracker

Thanks for the report Otto. I am hoping that you are having a better Christmas day than you expected to have. I can't fully make up my mind just what to open with my rib roast today, but I do know it will be one with a few years of age. I want to open my last 1985 Monte Bello, but since I am the only one drinking wine, I will forgo that pleasure. I will to check the cellar software to see what I have multiple bottles of. I do believe I have 2 of the 85 Lynch Bages, and a few late 80's Cos. Then there are some 85 and 87 Mondavi Rsv cabs too. An 89 Sonoma County (Durrell vineyard) ESJ syrah. I just took delivery on 4 bottles of 89 Musar rouge but they probably need a few more weeks of resting. I am tempted by the 1991 Beringer Rsv cabernet since I think 91 was the 2nd best vintage of the 90's, and 94 the top vintage. Decisions, decisions, decisions! Merry Christmas to one, and to all.

mmmmmmmm.... Musar!!! Sounds like this one was delicate yet complex. Great notes as always, Otto!

A magnum, yet? Impressive.

We're opening a '77 Musar with lamb tonight.

Nice note, Otto.... I'm glad you turned me on to the Musars.

Don't you think that the 1999, being so much cheaper, is also a good intro to the Chateau????

It is interesting how you are so forgiving with some wines....but plonk a CA Cab or Merlot in front of you and the saber is quickly unsheathed.

It is interesting how you are so forgiving with some wines....but plonk a CA Cab or Merlot in front of you and the saber is quickly unsheathed.

Cheeky James!
Some thoughts (I'm guessing the comment was in jest, so forgive my straight-faced answer )
- The note was almost critical, perhaps indeed forgiving, but certainly not fawning
- I think it's clear Musar has given Otto a lot of pleasure over the years. If he doesn't cut it a bit of slack then he's not human. Like a good friend you'll excuse the odd faux-pas.
- I've yet to taste many wines, that give an experience like Musar. There are some mighty striking CA Cabs & Merlot's, that will align beautifully with many people's palates. It will be a small few that would align to Otto's preferences. He's not calling them bad, but just not what works with him.
- Many other 'great' (sic.) wines have failed to impress Otto. I quite like reading his TN's on such wines (including quite a few I really like). Mostly I appreciate it because a dissenting voice against the prevailing tide can be one of the most poignant and useful.

99 is certainly a good entry to Musar - considering the rapid cost escalation in back vintages, I'd very much suggest people buy current release. It's also relatively widely available in halves, which is handy for us.

regards

Ian

Ian.. indeed my comment was tongue-in-cheek...I think, as you say, we all do `cut some slack' with wines we love, like the people we love. We see the faults and yet treasure what is good..and stick with them. I do the same with some wineries for which, for reasons that are often obscure, I have a soft spot.

I agree completely with you about Otto's preferences. He is very European in tastes...which is totally fine. I think some who are weaned on CA wines have to learn to like the European style of some wines, just as most of us had to learn to like mushrooms or broccoli or beer...it is often hard work trying, trying, trying and trying again til one gets it.

Otto's notes are ones I always turn to, though I know that 9/10 times I will never try the wines he writes about. He is passionate and someone I would love to share a bottle or three with.

Don't you think that the 1999, being so much cheaper, is also a good intro to the Chateau????

Oh, yes - a very good introduction. But if past vintages are to go by, it will soon start closing down, so I don't expect it to be a good introduction soon.

It is interesting how you are so forgiving with some wines....but plonk a CA Cab or Merlot in front of you and the saber is quickly unsheathed.

We all have our likes and dislikes - no harm in that. At least I am always willing to taste everything, even wines that one would expect wouldn't be to my taste, before deciding whether I like it or not. So give me one of those old York Creeks and I'm happy - that Cal Cab, isn't it?

-Otto