Chateau Musar has built a cult following among wine drinkers both in the UK (where The Society was the first to import it) and around the world. It is hard not to be captivated by the estate’s history and determination. Today we are delighted to release the new 2018 vintage that will be arriving in Stevenage in the next few weeks.
Winemaker Tarek Sakr believes that the 2018 vintage is much more approachable in style than previous vintages, making it a wine ready to drink once it arrives. As The Society's new Lebanon buyer, I tasted the 2018 and 2017 side by side, and the 2018 displays exuberant aromatics of wild strawberries and blood orange as well as a charming generosity.
Order by midday on Thursday 18th April
Winter rain and snow combined with plenty of rain during the growing season proved to be key in the 2018 vintage, producing a well-balanced and concentrated wine, with healthy yields. Heatwaves at the end of August proved challenging, which led to some varieties like cinsault to reach abnormally high levels of concentration and ripeness. Selection during harvest and carefully monitored fermentations meant that quality was not affected.
Each grape variety is fermented separately in concrete vats, with indigenous yeasts, followed by 12 months ageing in French oak barrels. The blend of cabernet, cinsault and carignan is carried out just before bottling in 2021, with the wine resting in Chateau Musar's cellar prior to release in 2024.
