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Posted On: September 14th 2026, 11:32 am
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Is Château Musar a True Grand Vin?
Well, opinions differ.
Some find it too volatile, unpredictable, perhaps overrated. Others love it, adore it and collect it obsessively.
For me, Château Musar was one of my first encounters with truly great wine when I entered the business almost 30 years ago. Then, for a while, I grew a little tired of it. Eventually, I came back.
The real revelation came around ten-fifteen years ago, when I was asked to conduct an extraordinary vertical tasting for a Swedish wine collector of Lebanese heritage, deeply proud of his country’s ancient vinous tradition.
Five decades of Musar, tasted side by side. Vintage after vintage, the personality was unmistakable—and remarkably, we didn’t encounter a single disappointing bottle. It completely renewed my respect for the wine.
Because, in the end, what defines a truly great wine?
For me, above all else, it is personality.
Château Musar is a wine you can recognize blind. It has an unmistakable identity. It has personality, character and an extraordinary ability to age. You may love its particular expression or you may not—but it is never anonymous.
And that brings me to today’s lunch.
I wouldn’t exactly call it spontaneous, considering that this beautiful lamb shank had been braising for hours—tagine-style, richly spiced, fragrant and decidedly Oriental in character.
What wine could possibly accompany it better?
Without hesitation: Château Musar 2012 from magnum.
And conveniently, a magnum should just about be enough for the three of us over lunch.
So, is Château Musar a truly great wine?
Yes. It is. #chateaumusar #grandvin #cookingsommelier #tagine #sommlife
Well, opinions differ.
Some find it too volatile, unpredictable, perhaps overrated. Others love it, adore it and collect it obsessively.
For me, Château Musar was one of my first encounters with truly great wine when I entered the business almost 30 years ago. Then, for a while, I grew a little tired of it. Eventually, I came back.
The real revelation came around ten-fifteen years ago, when I was asked to conduct an extraordinary vertical tasting for a Swedish wine collector of Lebanese heritage, deeply proud of his country’s ancient vinous tradition.
Five decades of Musar, tasted side by side. Vintage after vintage, the personality was unmistakable—and remarkably, we didn’t encounter a single disappointing bottle. It completely renewed my respect for the wine.
Because, in the end, what defines a truly great wine?
For me, above all else, it is personality.
Château Musar is a wine you can recognize blind. It has an unmistakable identity. It has personality, character and an extraordinary ability to age. You may love its particular expression or you may not—but it is never anonymous.
And that brings me to today’s lunch.
I wouldn’t exactly call it spontaneous, considering that this beautiful lamb shank had been braising for hours—tagine-style, richly spiced, fragrant and decidedly Oriental in character.
What wine could possibly accompany it better?
Without hesitation: Château Musar 2012 from magnum.
And conveniently, a magnum should just about be enough for the three of us over lunch.
So, is Château Musar a truly great wine?
Yes. It is. #chateaumusar #grandvin #cookingsommelier #tagine #sommlife
Comments (3)
a month agosarahjeffordwine
😍. On another note, there is me thinking that a 75cl bottle should do for 3 people! 😂
a month agolabordethierry
It is. And as a matter of fact, give a chance to the rosé too which is also very very good
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