CHATEAU MUSAR VERTICAL

On Friday the 24th April, I was very lucky to attend a Chateau Musar Vertical Tasting held at Lower Mill Estate, Gloucestershire. The tasting was a Musar white, followed by 6 vintages of Musar Red going back to 1989.

The event was organised by the various Ashton Keynes wine groups, and the tasting was tutored by Richard Brazier, Ancient and Modern Wines, and raised £850 being the first in a number of events planned this year for the Ashton Keynes 2009 Hope for Children fundraising.

The following are my tasting notes;

Musar White 2001; Rich Gold colour, bouquet of apricots, apples, honey, soft oak. On the palate, complex flavours of apricot, honey, floral notes, full bodied, dry long lingering flavours. 90 pts.

Musar Red 1997; Medium garnet colour pale rim, light bouquet of warm spice, aromatic wood, soft red cherry. On the palate, big acid, lots of full on red fruit, mainly red cherry, strawberry, tobacco, quite tannic and should improve 5-10 years +. 92 pts.

Musar Red 1996; Very pale, almost rose colour, watery edge transparent. Soft bouquet, red fruit, raspberry, farmyard. Palate, soft red fruit, cherry flavours, burnt musar flavour, very raisiny, well balanced but short flavour lacking intensity. Very Good. 89 pts.

Musar Red 1995; Medium garnet, pale rim. Bouquet slightly oxidised flavours, treacle, licquorice. Porty, raisiny, hint of oxidisation, tasted slightly burnt, big alcohol and very rich. Disappointing. 84 pts.

Musar Red 1993; Medium to dark garnet, watery pale rim. Bouquet red fruit, farmyard, spice, leather, tobacco, vanilla. Palate; big acid, full on red fruit, cherrys, strawberries, lots of dried fruits, figs, plum, soft after taste of leather, spice, oak, tobacco. Lots of complex flavours,. Well balanced, long lingering intense flavours. Should keep well for 5-10 years more. This was the highlight of the evening for me. Excellent. 94pts.

Musar Red 1991; Pale crimson, almost rose colour, very light transparent. Soft bouquet, red fruit, raisins, dried fruits, spice, leather tobacco. Palate; sweet red fruit, big aromatic wood and spice, soft and gentle complex lingering flavours. Well balanced classy wine. Should keep well for 5-10 years more. Excellent. 93pts.

Musar Red 1989; Pale rose salmon colour, slight cloudiness. Bouquet rich red fruit, jammy, raisins, leather. Palate; soft red fruit, well integrated, soft wood leather, hint of spice but fruit dominated. Lacked complexity of the 91 and 93. Time to drink up? Good; 88 pts.