The Noble Savage
1999 Chateau Musar
It seems inevitable that 1999 Musar will be included with the top vintages of the past three or four decades.
For us, it shares the stage with years like '88 and '91.
Musar occupies a singular place. There's simply nothing like it. If you had to point towards wines that share some spiritual kinship with Musar, it would be the great traditionalists of the Northern Rhône, and things like old Tempier. Like these, Musar is brimming with soul and possesses more than a little wildness. It all adds up to a captivating depth.
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One of the things that makes Musar so special is how it carries this wildness with an undeniably aristocratic air. This combination of an earthy and gamey profile with a sense of nobility makes Musar profoundly compelling.
The 1999 Musar delivers a level of elegance, harmony and energetic complexity that makes it a brilliant vintage for this wine. Everything is in place for it to age very well, even in the context of Musar's impressive track record for cellaring. The '99 is beautifully lifted with explosive notes of spice, herbs and dark fruits.
Chateau Musar was founded in 1930 by Serge Hochar's father, Gaston, when he was 20 years old in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley. Gaston immediately set the estate on the path of quality. Serge studied in Bordeaux with famed enologist Émile Peynaud and took over from his father in 1959.
Serge Hochar persevered in the vineyards throughout Lebanon's civil war. He only missed two vintages, 1976 and 1984 (he produced a tiny amount for personal use in both), due to the fighting. Serge brought the wines international renown. By 1977, he'd discovered what he thought was the ideal blend - Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan and Cinsault. There's much more to be said than room allows, so I encourage you to check out Levi Dalton's I'll Drink to That! interview with Serge. Sadly, Serge passed away at the end of 2014.
For us, the 1999 is Musar at its best. This is one of the offers that we're most excited about.
To order, please email us at offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.
Joe Salamone
Wine Buyer
Crush Wine & Spirits
1999 Chateau Musar