Château Musar--Vintage 1956

ParcelWineOffered duty paid, but available in bond

TWENTY TWO VINTAGES OF CHATEAU MUSAR Sold on behalf of Chateau Musar (U.K.) and recently shipped directly from the estate This, unquestionably, is one of the relatively few unique and rare classic wines of the world which I put on a par with Vega Sicilia, Biondi-Santi's Brunello di Montalcino - even the "new world" Grange Hermitage, in that it is a wine which has a distinctive character and undoubted quality. Distinctive, hardly surprising, considering its origins - the Lebanon; and the climate and grape varieties involved. I first came accross the wine of Chateau Musar in July 1979, describing it as the biggest eye opener at that year's Bristol Wine Fair, and, in an article the following January, as one of the two most exciting wines of the previous year, "the 1968 being outstanding". Since then it has popped up at odd tastings and dinners, often served blind "to fool one's friends" and it always does. Indeed I well recall one major blindtasting when, in the company of first-growth clarets and great Barbaresco, it was unanimously voted top by a very experienced and sophisticated group of tasters. Briefly, the Hochar vineyards are in the much fought-over Bekaa, the broad, flat, fertile valley which separates Syria from the surprising high Lebanese coastal chain. The reds, grown around three villages in the south, are from Cinsault, Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon, the whites from two unprounounceable local varieties: the mellow Obaideh and more acidic Merwah. The grapes are brought over the mountains, fermented, made and matured in the high stone valued cellars of Chateau Musar, on the Mediterranean facing slopes. The genius behind Musar is Serge Hochar. His secret; after fermentation each variety is put separately into large vats. Next, the following August (the reds) into French oak barriques for a year, then back into large vats for another year before Serge begins juggling; making up the final blend. If this sounds complicated, it is. The style of each vintage depends on the taste and skill of Hochar. They are not deep coloured blockbusters, they are subtle, balanced wines which keep incredibly well. Michael Broadbent

2 bottles per lot

Details

Lying in Twickenham, Middlesex (EHD)

Offered duty-paid only

Levels are top-shoulder or better, unless specified
Château Musar--Vintage 1956
Lebanon. Estate-bottled: Serge Hochar
In individual wooden cases
2 bottles per lot

Special notice

ParcelWineOffered duty paid, but available in bond

Sale room notice

Lots 137 to 189 are offered duty-paid only
Levels: lot 137 mid/upper-shoulder

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