I've been drinking a Ch. Musar Rouge 2012, the most recent release, over the past three days. It was actually pretty open aromatically even on day one without decanting. There is certainly a hot year character to this Musar - like jam instead of fresh fruit like it usually has. But it still has classic Musar notes like a touch of VA (not massive amounts unfortunately as I love it) and all kinds of fun savoury/earthy aspects. So it's not all about the jammy fruit. Quite thick on the palate as well and the fruit quality again suggests a very hot year. A bit of heat on the finish (and bottle says 14,5% which is 0,5 more than I've seen before). But then there's a surprising thing: the acidity is also high. This is a very good thing as it keeps it wonderfully fresh and moreish. Weirdly it doesn't really evolve much over three days open; it doesn't focus into one style but rather shows both the ripeness and the acidity at the same time. I like it, it shows all the good stuff I like about Musar, but I'm not sure it's one of the great ones. That will depend on how it develops with age. If those savoury, VA, acidic aspects keep coming to the fore, I might have to revise my opinion. But if those ripe, jammy, sweet sensations come to the fore, then this won't be a fave.
Anyone here tried the 2012 yet?
