This wine is in half bottle format. Unique in the world of fine wine, Lebanon-based Château Musar seems to consistently eschew the vagaries of vintage variation, fashions promoted by critics and inexplicable price ‘repositioning’. Probably for these reasons, and many others, it remains a firm favourite with our customers, inspiring a fiercely loyal following. A blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Carignan, the wine spent a year in untoasted French oak barrels and further four years in bottle in the deep stone cellars of the estate, before release. It has a deep, rich garnet colour with aromas of raisins, cedar, prunes and cinnamon. The 2018 is a frankly superb wine packed with rich and concentrated flavours and soft tannins. Already very expressive, it will age beautifully over the next 10-15 years. 17/20 - Transparent bright ruby shading to a water-white rim. Super-exotic and warmly Mediterranean. Gamey but not bretty. The elements are very nicely melded and the nose, palate and (dry) finish all seem really fresh. Not sure it’s a very long distance runner. But I love the combination of ripeness and freshness. Couldn’t possibly be from anywhere other than Lebanon, maybe only from Ch Musar! Long and hugely pleasurable. Widens the range of flavours available in an admirable way. -Jancis Robinson MW
