Wines Unspecified Château Musar - 2018

Château Musar 2018 is a captivating red wine hailing from the historic Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. Blending Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, and Carignan, this vintage once again showcases the estate's distinctive approach. The 2018 stands out with its deep ruby colour and a beguiling aroma profile: ripe cherries, blackcurrant, warm spices, and a subtle touch of tobacco. The palate is structured yet elegant, with fine-grained tannins supporting a vibrant medley of dark fruit, dried herbs, and earthy undertones. Aged in French oak for about a year before being bottled unfiltered, the wine benefits from minimal intervention, resulting in vivid character and age-worthiness—one of Musar's hallmarks.

The Bekaa Valley is the beating heart of Lebanese viticulture, enjoying a unique microclimate shaped by its altitude—situated at 1,000 metres above sea level between Mount Lebanon and the Anti-Lebanon mountains. This elevation brings significant diurnal temperature shifts, fostering slow and balanced grape ripening. The region's soils are composed largely of gravel and limestone, contributing to wines of marked freshness and minerality, while the area’s winegrowing heritage stretches back thousands of years to Phoenician times. Despite its turbulent recent history, the valley continues to produce wines of profound character, with Château Musar leading the way.

When it comes to food pairing, Château Musar 2018 is particularly versatile. Its spicy, complex nature excels with rich, braised meats—think slow-cooked lamb shoulder with rosemary, or Middle Eastern staples like lamb kibbeh or grilled aubergine with spiced tomato sauce. Hard cheeses, especially matured varieties such as Comté or Manchego, bring out the wine’s earthy notes. For the adventurous, try it with Lebanese mezze featuring smoky baba ganoush and lamb-based dishes.

For optimal enjoyment, decant Château Musar 2018 for at least an hour before serving, as this will encourage the development of its aromatic complexity. Serve at a temperature of 16-18°C to reveal its depth and delicate subtleties. This wine will continue to evolve beautifully in bottle, rewarding both patience and curiosity.