2018 Chateau Musar Rouge, Hochar, Bekaa Valley

"So to the newly released 2018 Chateau Musar itself. An equal blend of super-ripe (thanks to an August heatwave) Cab Sauv, Carignan and Cinsault, fermented separately with natural yeasts and aged for 12 months in oak, it’s a fabulous wine. ‘Oh goodness, it just makes me want to dive straight in!’ exclaimed Mrs Ray, an uncharacteristically modest first sip being quickly followed by her signature open-wide-and-down-the-hatch. With rich, intense, sweet ripe and dried blackcurrants, blackberries and plums; peppery spice and notes of tarragon and, hmmm, can’t quite put my finger on it but maybe fennel, there’s so much to enjoy here, and it’s at a glorious stage."
Jonathan Ray, The Spectator Magazine