Never had a Musar: where to start?

Okay, I have had Musar's Hochar before, but that's it. I enjoyed it a lot.

Locally, I can get the following vintages of Chateau Musar: 1997 for $36, 1998 for $41, and 1999 for $38. Good prices?

Any of these 3 vintages a particular standout? Which vintage to start with or give a test drive to?

Thanks.

1997 for $36, 1998 for $41, and 1999 for $38. Good prices?

Any of these 3 vintages a particular standout? Which vintage to start with or give a test drive to?

This is actually quite difficult to answer. The 1997 is a wild Musar and very good and needs age/or a long decant. The 1999 is fucking awesome and a classic style of Musar but still a bit on the tame side - and demands age. The 1998 is tame and is only a good/ok Musar - and though ideally this would still get more age, this is drinking best at the moment.

My suggestion is this: forget the 1999 even though it is my favourite of the three. It is totally shut down down now, there is really no joy in opening it now. If you are feeling adventurous and want the full, wild, freaky experience of Musar, then go for the 1997 and give it at least 4 hours of air before drinking. If you want a safer, less wild introduction, then for for the 1998, but do give that at least 2 hours of air.

For Musars in the '90s, the prices really don't sound bad. Musar's prices have shot up in recent years.

[Jenise]

Those are great prices. Here in the U.S., Musar's are generally over $50 these days.

I'm a huge fan of Ch Musar but sorry to say I can't help you with these vintages. My remaining bottles range from 1969 to 1993. I actually just opened a 1988 for dinner tonight and it's drinking GREAT right now. I think the 1988 could turn out to equal the great 1970 which was my favorite. It's sort of a joke with many of my friends but I found many bottles of older Musar by crawling around looking on the lower shelves of smaller wine stores in the mid-west. I think I got them all!
Gary

Excellent prices! I would try the 1998 as a first go? The 1997 has been very good the 4 times i've had it, but it's been a while.