The Spectator - 29.02.2020

the spectator | 29 february 2020 | http://www.spectator.co.uk 57

SPECTATOR WINE JONATHAN RAY

S

pring wouldn’t be spring without our

annual offer from Chateau Musar,

that extraordinary Lebanese winery

that is the epitome of triumph over adver-

sity. As readers well know, Auberon Waugh

and Simon Hoggart — my late, great prede-

cessors as Custodian of the Corkscrew for

The Spectator — were huge fans of Chateau

Musar and I, too, have long been smitten.

Indeed, I’m sure that Fraser’s chief con-

cern on handing me the key to the Speccie’s

cellar was that I was as sound on Musar as

those who had worn the mighty chain of

office before me had been. Well, he needn’t

have worried. I love mighty Musar and

know how much our readers do too. Thanks

to Mark Cronshaw of Mr. Wheeler, we’ve

a fine selection here.

The 2018 Musar Jeune White (1) is

Musar’s entry level vino, a tasty blend of

Viognier, Vermentino and Chardonnay

from vineyards deep in the Bekaa Valley.

Unoaked, it’s crisp, clean, fresh and just that

little bit different. £12.25 down from £13.75.

The 2018 Musar Jeune Rosé (2) is simi-

larly easy-going. Blended from Cinsault and

Mourvèdre, it’s a glorious salmon pink and

delectably fresh and enticing, with lively

wild strawberry notes and a whisper of spice.

£11.50 down from £12.75.

The 2018 Musar Jeune Red (3) is a soft,

fresh, juicy mix of Cinsault, Syrah and Cab-

ernet Sauvignon, designed to be enjoyed

in its youth with little fanfare. Just knock it

back and enjoy. £11.50 down from £12.75.

I’ll be the first to admit that the 2012 Ch.

Musar White (4) is something of an acquired

taste, being as it is a blend of Obaideh and

Merwah, which sound more like Old Testa-

ment prophets than they do ancient indige-

nous grape varieties. Fermented and aged in

oak, the wine is peachy, lemony and creamy

and if it’s like anything at all, it’s like a fine

white Rhône. £25 down from £26.50.

The 2017 Hochar Père et Fils (5) is a sin-

gle vineyard red made from old vine Cin-

sault, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon

grown at 1,000 metres above sea level. The

result is a wine of power, concentration, rich-

ness and freshness, full of plums, damsons,

herbs and spices. £14.75 down from £16.50.

For those who like to make a statement,

the excellent 2015 Hochar Père et Fils (6) is

available in magnum at £40, down from £45.

The estate only releases its grand vin

earthy even chocolaty quality’ on its release

in 2007. The years have been kind and there

is even more sweet fruit to the fore and suc-

culence on the finish. Offered direct from

the chateau at £30.

Finally, the 1997 Chateau Musar (9), of

which little remains. It’s showing well for its

age but needs drinking up. Relish its sweet

fruit, savoury edge and mellow softness and

marvel at the magic that is Musar. Just £34.

The Musar Collection has two bottles

each of the 2000 Ch. Musar, 2013 Ch. Musar,

2017 Hochar Red and 2018 Musar Jeune

Red and one bottle each of the 1997 Ch.

Musar, 2012 Ch. Musar White, 2018 Musar

Jeune White and 2018 Musar Jeune Rosé.

The Musar Vintage Collection contains

four bottles each of the 1997, 2000 and 2013

Ch. Musar. Delivery, as ever, is free.

when it’s deemed ready to drink and this is

the first time that the 2013 Chateau Musar

(7) has been offered. A typical sweet/

savoury/spicy blend of Cinsault, Carignan

and Cabernet Sauvignon, it’s exclusive to

readers of The Spectator until April, when

it will be offered more widely and more

expensively. Fill your boots! £24.75 down

from £28. (Magnums, jeroboams and impe-

rials are also available: call Mark Cronshaw

on 01206 713560 if interested.)

We’ve offered the 2000 Chateau Musar

(8) before and Monsieur Hoggart lapped it

up, praising its ‘soft, velvety, peppery, spicy,

Please send wine to

Name

Address

Postcode

Telephone

Email*

Mastercard/Visa no.

Start date Expiry date Sec. code

Issue no. Signature

Prices include VAT and delivery on the

British mainland. Payment should be

made either by cheque with the order,

payable to Mr. Wheeler, or by debit or

credit card, details of which may be

telephoned. This offer, which is subject

to availability, closes on 11 April 2020.

ORDER FORM^ Spectator Wine Offer

http://www.spectator.co.uk/wine-club

Mr. Wheeler, Estate Office, Park Lane BC, Langham, Colchester, Essex CO4 5WR

mrwheelerwine.com; tel: 01206 713560; email: [email protected]

Terms and conditions: This week’s Wine Offer is managed by Mr. Wheeler. For full details on its T&Cs, email [email protected]

Contact permission: I would like to receive up to date offers and communications from Mr. Wheeler ❏ ❏

I would like to receive up to date offers and communications from other carefully selected organisations ❏ ❏

This extraordinary Lebanese

winery is the epitome of

triumph over adversity

Prices are per case of 3, 6 or 12 magnums/ bottles as stated below List price Club price No.

White 1 2018 Musar Jeune White, 13% (12 bottles) £165.00 £147.00

Rosé 2 2018 Musar Jeune Rosé, 13.5% (12 bottles) £153.00 £138.00

Red 3 2018 Musar Jeune Red, 14%(12 bottles) £153.00 £138.00

White 4 2012 Ch. Musar White, 14% (6 bottles) £159.00 £150.00

Red 5 2017 Hochar Père et Fils Red 14% (12 bottles) £198.00 £177.00

6 2015 Hochar Père et Fils Red 13.5% (3 magnums) £135.00 £120.00

7 2013 Ch. Musar 14%(12 bottles) £336.00 £297.00

8 2000 Ch. Musar 13.5% (6 bottles) £180.00

9 1997 Ch. Musar 14% (6 bottles) £204.00

Mixed 10 Musar Collection (12 bottles) £261.50 £249.00

11 Musar Vintage Collection (12 bottles) £368.00 £355.00

Total

Wine Club_29 Feb 2020_The Spectator 57 26/02/2020 10:19