Vinous heaven...

...for me anyway! Old bottles (from the 1970's IIRC) at Ch. Musar on my last visit there.



-O-(happy that I finally found my long lost CD where the pics of my trip are stored!)

I've loved looking at your photos on Flickr, Otto!

Otto: There is a cool little wine shop (Enoteca) in calistoga, California. definitely run by a demanding proprietor. She has a bottle of 2001 Musar Red. Not that expensive. Should I try it?!!!

Otto: There is a cool little wine shop (Enoteca) in calistoga, California. definitely run by a demanding proprietor. She has a bottle of 2001 Musar Red. Not that expensive. Should I try it?!!!

I think I know Otto's answer to this, but I'll add a YES!!!!

Also, I think Corti's has the '98 or thereabouts.



Mike

Like a pig in sh*t....!

I still need to taste my first Musar....!!

Otto: There is a cool little wine shop (Enoteca) in calistoga, California. definitely run by a demanding proprietor. She has a bottle of 2001 Musar Red. Not that expensive. Should I try it?!!!

Brian, the 2001 Musar hasn't been released yet (I think the 2000 should come out next week), so it has to be the Musar Père et Fils or the Cuvée Musar. I am not usually fond of their "second" wines, but IIRC the 2001 was surprisingly good. I'd go for it since it isn't all that expensive (how much, BTW?). It will give you at least some idea of what the property is like.

Paulo, when you're next in Italy, take one of the cheap flights to Helsinki and I'll serve you some.

-O-

Paulo, when you're next in Italy, take one of the cheap flights to Helsinki and I'll serve you some.

-O-

Or, if more convenient, let me know if you are coming to MoCOOL this fall and I'll open one.

Paulo, when you're next in Italy, take one of the cheap flights to Helsinki and I'll serve you some.

-O-

Or get from Philly to the OC this weekend and try the '97!!!

Jim, have you tried the 97 yet? I just picked up a couple of bottles. Also the 96 and 98.

I haven't OW....this will be my virgin tasting.... of any Musar.....

I'll be looking for your comments.
I'll bow to Otto, of course, but I'd suggest opening it a day in advance.

Well...we all bow to Otto, right? But I value your insight and palate too...so will do....

Brian, the 2001 Musar hasn't been released yet (I think the 2000 should come out next week), so it has to be the Musar Père et Fils or the Cuvée Musar. I am not usually fond of their "second" wines, but IIRC the 2001 was surprisingly good. I'd go for it since it isn't all that expensive (how much, BTW?). It will give you at least some idea of what the property is like.

-O-

I think it's their Cuvee. (How does one type the accent marks, btw). It's not "cheap," by any means, but in a world of mediocre $60 California Oak Bombs, $30 isn't too bad.

I'd suggest opening it a day in advance.

That would have been my recco a while back, but some recent tastes have suggested that it is very open for a 10yo Moose and needs only 4-5 hours but is best at at about 8 hours decanting. Usually 10yo Moose is a little shut down, but '97 is acting differently to the norm - maybe it was the hot year in the Biqa'?

I think it's their Cuvee. Question (How does one type the accent marks, btw). It's not "cheap," by any means, but in a world of mediocre $60 California Oak Bombs, $30 isn't too bad.

30 is what I would expect the Hochar Père et Fils to be. If you do try it, please report back! I don't know if your keyboards are different, but don't you have the accents two keys to the right of the number 0 (except the circumflexe which is just below that one), just beside the question mark?

-O-

ok.. I opened it this morning.. but did not decant.. poured a bit .. and tasted....yummy... and then set the bottle, uncorked, back in the cellar... about 8 hours out from dinner tonite.. so.. .. assuming Otto is right, I'm about on target, maybe a little over the 8 hours in total.. if OW is right... it will be a little tight.. but don't think so based on what I tasted this morning....

It's going to be served up against other Bdx blends and Bdx...

Oh, I'm sure Otto is right. I was basing my guestimate on other vintages. If Ott says 8, it's 8. But an extra hour or so shouldn't hurt.
-ow
(and for the sake of science, I hope you save an ounce or two for tomorrow.
ps: I believe Musar is more a blend of rhone varieties than bordeaux varieties.

OW.. here is what the Musar website says...

At the end of the second year blending takes place with the proportions of cabernet sauvignon, carignan and cinsault varying with each vintage, the only deciding factor being taste

So.. more a red blend.. certainly not a traditional Bdx blend.. but not quite Rhone either..

thanx for pushing me to look this up!!

Otto.... I should be taking delivery of my first bottles of Musar before July, I cant wait !!!!

ok.. I opened it this morning.. but did not decant.. poured a bit .. and tasted....yummy... and then set the bottle, uncorked, back in the cellar... about 8 hours out from dinner tonite.. so.. .. assuming Otto is right, I'm about on target, maybe a little over the 8 hours in total.. if OW is right... it will be a little tight.. but don't think so based on what I tasted this morning....

It's going to be served up against other Bdx blends and Bdx...

I'm catching the next flight to LA to crash your dinner!!!

you are always welcome here, Paulo!!

Oh, I'm sure Otto is right. I was basing my guestimate on other vintages. If Otto says 8, it's 8. But an extra hour or so shouldn't hurt.

I'm not sure I'm right - you see tastes are so individual, that where 8h might be lovely for me, it might not be enough for you. I feel rather uncomfortable that this thread seems to place all Musary responsibility on me, when in fact most (all?) people who write here have much more experience than I do with wines. I am only relating my experiences with the wine - others' may vary greatly.



Gaston Hochar showing us the cellars.



The huge cellars just go on and on and (cue: Duracell bunny) No wonder they are able to release their wines so late.

-O-

Amazing fotos!!

Hey.. you call yourself `Musaroholic'...so.. I guess you assumed the mantle of responsibility that comes with that!!!