Why does Musar stand alone?

[Jenise]

Why aren't there other great wines coming from Lebanon, in other words? Or are there, but there's so little they don't get distributed?

There are many well-made, technically brilliant wines from Lebanon - if you don't mind the "international" style. Ksara, Kefraya, Wardy, Cave Kouroum, Clos St. Thomas and Massaya are all producers that make very worthy wines if you like internationally styled wines. But I think everyone here knows how I feel about the international style: they all taste alike to me. And since they are made everywhere these days, I guess there isn't much point in hauling them half the world away to the US when you have your own wines made in the same mould. Musar is genuinely the only Lebanese winery that I have tasted with a unique voice.

[Jenise]

Otto, of those you mention I've only had the Ksara, I believe it was, which a friend inserted into a Bordeaux tasting believing it would 'pass'. It didn't. Might not have been a great bottle to start with as IIRC it came from a Middle Eastern grocer where it might not have had the best treatment, but in comparison to the actual Bordeauxs it tasted cheap and simple. I'm sorry to hear there aren't more Musars or Musar wannabe's.

Kefraya, I enjoyed one recently on my recent trip. After a tough day in the mountains, very enjoyable.

I have not actually checked figures, but my impression is that Musar produces more "Grand Vin" than it does lesser wine, while other producers do it the more normal way round - smaller amounts of their premium wines. Musar is also unusual in holding its wines for several years before release so they are closer to drinkablity release (I seem to be unusual, but I enjoy them a lot on release). You have to put in a lot more effort to age other Lebanese wines for yourself. Finally, taste-wise, Musar stands alone in having such high levels of VA - so high that one vintage in the 90s exceeded EU limits and they needed special dispensation to sell it. But, as other Lebanese wineries keep ther VA levels down, I am not sure the volatile style means that Musar is more typically Lebanese than other wines.

Musar is definitely not "international", mainly because it is so volatile, but I think Otto rather unfairly characterises other Lebanese wine as being international in style. Some are though - mainly in my experience some of the cheaper wines - Kefraya Les Bretèches for example. But a lot of other wines show great interest. Quite a few of the ones I have tried have been interesting in the euphemistic sense - faulty or bordering on faulty - oxidation was a common "fault", or style if you like. Others have been interesting in a positive way.

Scanning through my notes, non-Musar Lebanese wine I have enjoyed a lot are:

Massaya - Classic Rouge - of a few vintages - not a great wine, but good VFM and I have drunk many bottles - under screwcap, and tends to be reductive, so decant!

Domaine des Tourelles - Marquis des Beys - 2004 - tried last year - IIRC this is the top wine of the producer

Domaine des Tourelles - Marquis des Beys - 2003 - tried 2009

Massaya - Silver Selection - White - 2004 - tried last year, and I am going to get more of this vintage

Chateau Kefraya (the straight Chateau wine) - Rouge - 2002 - tried in 2009 and 2010

Chateau Nakad - Rouge - 2002 - tried in 2009

Heritage - Plaisir du Vin - Red - 2005 - tried in 2009 (could do with a few more years)

I write a bit about Massaya here: http://www.winenous.co.uk/wp/?s=massaya

Otto, of those you mention I've only had the Ksara, I believe it was, which a friend inserted into a Bordeaux tasting believing it would 'pass'.

I was at a tasting where Musar was presented as a Claret ringer! That didn't pass either.

I am pleased to say it was my wife (an enthusiastic drinker witha good palate, but not a wine geek) who nailed it within a few second

not a musar fan, sorry. like bordeaux? you gotta be kidding.