1999 Chateau Musar

My goodness....!!! After screaming a performance of Orff's Carmina Burana at the Kimmel Center today, I ran to the State store and ran into a bottle of 1999 Chateau Musar. I was stunned and immediately grabbed it. I had tasted this vintage last Spring at one of the off lines I attended, including the ever so delicate 1991 vintage. 99 was much tighter then, but tonight this bottle is absolutely glorious, full of berry spice and airplane glue (as some of you have labeled it). I feel like a cat with catnip - my nose is having multiple moments of ecstasy. Totally worth the $42 I coughed up. Lots of fruit, but lush - not tight at all as I remembered from last spring. YUMMMMMMMMMMMM!

i've loved various vintages of that over the years - definitely old school wines with lots of funk - touch of VA, borderline defective, just the way I like em!

I also really like the inexpensive Chateau Ksara we get here in NB

Paulo-
The Wine & Spirits on 19th and Chestnut has had the '99 Chateau Musar since about October. But I think it was $49 when I bought it back then!

Paulo-
The Wine & Spirits on 19th and Chestnut has had the '99 Chateau Musar since about October. But I think it was $49 when I bought it back then!

Really? I paid $42 with taxes today at this same store. I may run back tomorrow and get more. Did you like it? It is so much more relaxed than when I had it last Spring with the guys from NYC!

Per Otto's advice, I decanted it all afternoon one lazy Sunday. By dinnertime it was fruity-funky-wonderful. I think I'm going to have to walk to that store on Sunday to pick up another bottle! (Definitely not walking anywhere tomorrow...action news is making it sound like the entire city is going to flood!)

I have had the 1999 three or four times over the last half year, and it is excellent, though I think the 1997 is even better at this point. I had both the 1998 and the 1995 last week, and the 1995 was beautiful when first opened, but then kind of got wierd. The 1998 started off a bit shut down and not too impressive, but it got better with time. For my money and palate, both the 1997 and 1999 are outstanding and ones that I have added more of to my cellar.

For anyone who likes Bordeaux, I don't see how one could not like these.

For anyone who likes Bordeaux, I don't see how one could not like these.

I think it's more about VA and Brett than Bordeaux. No?

For anyone who likes Bordeaux, I don't see how one could not like these.

I think it's more about VA and Brett than Bordeaux. No?

I've never experienced that...

For anyone who likes Bordeaux, I don't see how one could not like these.

I think it's more about VA and Brett than Bordeaux. No?

I've never experienced that...

Lucky you.

Paulo seemed to love his airplane glue in this note.

But that is not a universal sentiment.

For anyone who likes Bordeaux, I don't see how one could not like these.

I think it's more about VA and Brett than Bordeaux. No?

As somebody who began drinking Musar over 30 years ago [when it was quite Bordeaux like] and then recently had a long gap without one until the 99, I would agree that later Musars in particular seem to have had significant VA and, usually, some brett. They have always been variable.

And these days if I was going to look for a French regional comparison I would say Rhone or South of France rather than Bordeaux. Some of the grapes in the blend [Cinsault and Carignan with the Cabernet Sauvignon in the 99] would suggest that too.

I have bought and drunk 3 bottles of the 99 in the last 6 months [for between $20-25] and enjoyed them all with less variability than often experienced. For me the defining experience comes from the aromatics and the high-toned aspect which seems to me to be mainly from the VA. Good to hear that others have enjoyed this pretty quirky wine.
The 2000 is now available here at a similar price but I haven't tried it yet.

It is one of the very few wines where I can honestly say that the VA is not an immediate turn-off and I have really enjoyed the old roses smell from the 99 after time in the glass.

Where is Otto? Musar specialist and aficionado extraordinaire.

For anyone who likes Bordeaux, I don't see how one could not like these.

I think it's more about VA and Brett than Bordeaux. No?

As somebody who began drinking Musar over 30 years ago [when it was quite Bordeaux like] and then recently had a long gap without one until the 99, I would agree that later Musars in particular seem to have had significant VA and, usually, some brett. They have always been variable.

And these days if I was going to look for a French regional comparison I would say Rhone or South of France rather than Bordeaux. Some of the grapes in the blend [Cinsault and Carignan with the Cabernet Sauvignon in the 99] would suggest that too.

I have bought and drunk 3 bottles of the 99 in the last 6 months [for between $20-25] and enjoyed them all with less variability than often experienced. For me the defining experience comes from the aromatics and the high-toned aspect which seems to me to be mainly from the VA. Good to hear that others have enjoyed this pretty quirky wine.
The 2000 is now available here at a similar price but I haven't tried it yet.

It is one of the very few wines where I can honestly say that the VA is not an immediate turn-off and I have really enjoyed the old roses smell from the 99 after time in the glass.

Where is Otto? Musar specialist and aficionado extraordinaire.

If I were forced to pick a region I would pick Southern Rhone over Bordeaux, and to me Musar provides a different experience than Bordeaux. I simply bought this bottle yesterday out of curiosity as I had had the 91 and the same 99 last year. I can see how it could be a turn off for people who do not prefer it, but I just enjoy its quirkiness. It still feels quite elegant and complex to my palate - and also a joy to sniff for hours. No - I did not sniff airplane glue as a kid!!!!

The '99 rocks! I find Musar to be lifted in aromatics rather than full blown VA. Of course, the lifted aromatics are caused by VA, but there are degrees to to it, and the degrees I find it in Musar are very enjoyable. Tolerances differ (just like with brett) so I can understand some might find the volatility of the wine off-putting. I like Madeiras, too, so I guess I am pretty much immune to VA.

I don't really like to play the game of "Musar tastes like x and x", though I understand that when faced with something new it is useful to compare it with the known. But I think Musar is unique, though it does show elements that I find in other areas. FWIW, old style Rioja, with its oxidative, red toned aromas are near to Musar; but so is S. Rhône because of the sweet and spicy elements; so is Bordeaux because cabernet aromatics can at times be forward; etc. ad inf. It is a kaleidoscopic wine.

-O

The '99 rocks! I find Musar to be lifted in aromatics rather than full blown VA. Of course, the lifted aromatics are caused by VA, but there are degrees to to it, and the degrees I find it in Musar are very enjoyable. Tolerances differ (just like with brett) so I can understand some might find the volatility of the wine off-putting. I like Madeiras, too, so I guess I am pretty much immune to VA.

I don't really like to play the game of "Musar tastes like x and x", though I understand that when faced with something new it is useful to compare it with the known. But I think Musar is unique, though it does show elements that I find in other areas. FWIW, old style Rioja, with its oxidative, red toned aromas are near to Musar; but so is S. Rhône because of the sweet and spicy elements; so is Bordeaux because cabernet aromatics can at times be forward; etc. ad inf. It is a kaleidoscopic wine.

-O

Thus has spoken our "Musar Czar".... <bowing in reverence!>