2011 Chateau Musar Bekaa Valley Rouge

Chateau Musar is one of the most special wine estates in the world. On the one hand, this is the location, the Lebanese Bekaa Valley, on the other hand, they still use a completely traditional method. The vineyards are located on siliceous lime-clay soils at an altitude of about 1000 meters. The long, warm summers guarantee excellent ripening of the grapes. Owner Serge Hochar, who was named Winemaker of the Year by the English magazine Decanter Magazine in the past, has also received his wine training in France.

The red Château Musar derives its character from the large proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon, which give this wine a Bordeaux-like appearance. The aging for 24 months in oak barrels from the Nevers adds the necessary complexity and flavours. Before the wine is released on the market, it is aged for at least 3-5 years in the cellars of the château, as it is not yet ready to be drunk. The family ultimately decides which vintage is released when. This means that it already has a delicious taste when it comes to the market, completely ready to enjoy immediately, but according to Musar this wine only gets better with the years and has a drinking window of 2030+

The 2011 harvest was one of the most challenging experiences in Chateau Musar's viticulture in the past 20 years, being one of the most unusual years in Lebanese history. The year started with a cold January, but not enough rain. February turned out to be similar, March was sunnier, but April and May caused the really big surprise with rainfall equivalent to January, February and March combined! The main result of the rain was very late ripening, with flowering occurring 25 days later than usual, and this delay continued through the ripening period up to harvest day. The first Carignan grapes were harvested on September 22. One day later on September 23, it started to rain for a period of 3 days. The Carignan withstood the rain, but the Cinsault was more affected. The harvest was finally completed on October 13, which was the last in our company's history with the exception of the 1983 vintage. The 2011 vintage is a traditional blend of about a third of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Carignan. The bottling took place 3 years later in 2014, after the wines spent a year in French oak barrels from the forests of Nevers.

The 2011 Musar is a rich aromatic and fruity nose full of mulberries, black cherries and a hint of mocha and has a dark, almost blood red color in the glass. The taste Intense and concentrated palette, full volume which is characterized by black fruit with an elegant spiciness. Soft and juicy tannins and a long finish.

FACT: Under the tab: Appendix you will find the official factsheet of this wine. We will automatically send you this digitally when you order this wine