Chateau Musar Red 2004

Wine:  Musar Red
Winemaker: Chateau Musar
Vintage: 2004
Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan & Cinsault
Price: £27
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As with many other 04's I've enjoyed, this example had the same youthful nose, not something one can often associate with Musar; very Bordeaux in style: blackcurrant and blackberry, with earthy notes and a subtle hint of leather. In the mouth: sweet raspberry, sour chalky cranberry, developing into sweet blackcurrant and bitter blackberry, rounded off with a heavily spiced finish.

A full bodied wine, with a healthy, but linear acidity, moderate intensity and fine silky tannins. All in all lacking the intensity of other 04's I've enjoyed, but bottle and vintage variation is common in Musar and for me, one of the many reasons I adore the uniqueness of the geniuses from Lebanon.

This wine is developing nicely and should evolve to it's peak sometime between 2020-2024. Will accompany fillet of beef or roasted shoulder of lamb beautifully and should be served around 18'c and decanted a couple of hours prior to consumption.

Enjoy!

Slingshot Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine: Slingshot Cabernet Sauvignon
Winemaker: Slingshot
Vintage: 2014
Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: £22

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A deep blackberry, blackcurrant, raspberry and licorice bomb on the nose, we’re talking black cracked pepper and rich black fruits flowing from the glass. This is one of the most representative ‘Californian Cabernet Sauvignon” noses I have come across in the UK, so my intrigue levels are already peaking. Upon taste there’s that wonderful sweet glaze that covers the palate, backed by an incredible acidity and tannin base.

We’re talking raspberry compote, cedar wood, vanilla bean and an incredibly fresh backbone of ripe meadow fruits picked straight from the forest. The tannins come into play right at the finish a slight coating that gives a smooth finesse to this magnificent wine. As far as I’m concerned this is one of the top affordable Californian wines in the UK and needs to be explored.

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HIP Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Winemaker: House of Independent Producers
Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2014
Price: £18

House of Independent Producers are pushing some fantastic wines as of late, this one in particular coming from the Sagemoore Farms Vineyards in Hedges Family Estate. A 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

A dusty cocoa powder escapes from the glass, emitting dry earthiness intermixed with sweet vanilla oak and a rich plum crumble, coated in brown sugar. Floral violets and an elegant toastiness flow on the nose as you can really get a sense of the rich dark black fruits swimming around inside the glass. 

Upon initial taste you you're presented with a lovely refreshing balance of acidity, tannin and complexity. There's a dark licorice and very dark 95% chocolate that sits on the palate. You can also pick up a plethora of rich dark stewed plums and a good kick of oak. 

Refined, elegant and the perfect compliment to a rich winter stew with pork, lamb or beef. Would go wonderfully with a rich gravy and beef Sunday joint also. A good expression of Washington's Colubmia Valley AVA which is all too often forgotten in comparison to it's Sonoma/Napa cousins down south. 

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Chateau Musar Red 2009

Wine: Musar Red
Winemaker: Chateau Musar
Vintage: 2009
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan & Cinsault. Approx 1/3rd each. 
Price: £22.00

As with the previous two vintages (07&08) this is immediately approachable, not something one can often say about latest release wines from Musar.

Plenty of barnyard funk on the nose, or brett (brettanomyces) as it is more commonly referred too, something that IS common in Musar reds. Blackcurrant, blackberry, leather, vanilla and pipe tobacco all playing a part, in what is a rich and diverse bouquet. Very elegant and incredibly alluring: In the mouth, Cabernet dominates at first with tarte dark fruit and menthol quite striking, then the fiery spice and sweet red fruit of the Carignan and Cinsault take over. Plenty of liquorice, clove and vanilla. A real crowd pleasing palate!

Medium to full bodied, a linear acidity, supremely refined and silky tannins, moderate intensity and a finish fit for a king (and Queen!) A truly great vintage, but possibly not with quite the same longevity in terms of ageing some other vintages can boast. A good decant is necessary, serve at 18-19'c.

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