WTN: 1997 Musar

[Jenise]

A very good friend in one of my tasting groups is currently being treated for a very bad type of cancer, and he felt good enough yesterday to enjoy some wine and food here at my home with a couple others from the group and their families. We got to talking about wines we've never had but dearly wanted to, and Musar was one of his. So I went and got a bottle. I didn't pick thru the vintages I have, I just grabbed a bottle and trusted that the one in my hand was the one we were meant to share.

It was lighter than I expected (I've not had this vintage before) and I was surprised at how mature it was: light brickish ruby, clear in the rim, with 100% of the flavor coming from secondary development. Tons of tea, dried flower and spice aromas, and a very good but not exceptionally long finish. Though I'm aware this would not be considered an exemplary Musar vintage, I loved it; it reminded me of a 20 year old Burgundy.

Jenise, I took a bottle of this vintage rouge to the March 2011 offline in Indy, and it was a bit better than what you describe. I notice though that you loved it so hope you have another or three. below are tasting notes from the Musar web page.

Red : 1997
Tasting Note


A fairly normal winter followed by a fresh spring with no hail or frost and then a mild summer with a very cloudy and fresh August followed by a sunny September. These perfect conditions allowed grapes to mature slowly and surely at a pace rarely achieved.



The harvest started on the 15th September and ended on the 11th October for the reds and the 21st October for the whites. However we had to stop harvesting for four days from the 30th September to the 3rd October because of rain.



Fermentation continued at about the same pace at which the grapes had matured. It was the slowest and best fermentation we have ever had at Chateau Musar, especially between the 15th and 30th September with 80% of the harvest in the cellar.



I tasted the wines on the 18th November. Almost all malolactics are finished and wines look ready for drinking. Very, very beautiful wines and the white wines are just as beautiful as the reds. All wines are big and perfectly balanced whatever the cepage – Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Cinsault, Merwah and Obaideh.



Definitely a vintage to follow very closely…..

Serge Hochar – November 1997



Citations



“First tasted with Serge Hochar in the Chateau Musar cellars, December 1999. The wine was still in individual vats: Cinsault from the garrigues of Kefraya in the Bekaa Valley: crisp, fragrant; attractive, some elegance. Carignan from Ana , a little further north: more flesh, nice fruit, very tannic. Cabernet Sauvignon was an incredibly deep colour: green, stalky nose; austere, astringent. It would be another year before blending. Most recently, seemed fully developed, good flavour, lovely aftertaste.
Last tasted May 2002 *** ”

Michael Broadbent – Vintage Wine



A rich, warm deep cherry red with a smoky nose full of spice and fruits.

On the palate there are mixed berry fruits – cherries, redcurrants, pomegranates and Christmas spices of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Ripe sweet fruit with a smoky edge.

Good acidity with good tannin levels results in a wine of classic structure with long ageing potential.



“There’s no point in putting it in the sample case; those who know this delicious, silky delectable wine will want to buy without further introduction”

Simon Hoggart – The Spectator 25th January 2003

Very good vintage, of which I have consumed 3 bottles. I have one left. All cost less than $40, and perform much better. When I drink Musar, I don't get the funk that so many find. What I am reminded of is good Bordeaux or Rioja.. and maybe a bit of Burgundy, but only in the restraint. We are incredibly fortunate to have a restaurant nearby with nearly every vintage of Musar available, and at crazy good prices.

Sounds surprisingly light! It's been years since I last tried this, but it was a very hot year and I thought that was very obvious in the bottles I had. I still loved it.