Description
Grape Varietals
Obaideh 60% Merwah 40%. Obaideh was the first to be picked on 19th September, earlier than usual directly due to the weather conditions, and the Merwah on the 27th September.
Winemaking
The year began with high hopes after experiencing above average rain and snowfall in January, leading to expectations that the water table would be replenished. More rain and snow followed in February, and non-stop in March, but it turned into a mild spring
with temperatures rising in April, though not excessively. In fact, opening of buds on the vines was 10 days later than usual due to low air temperatures and comparatively cold soils. In late April a one day frost hit the Bekaa Valley but was not seen as particularly
harmful at the time. We only learned of the effects of that day at harvest time when it transpired that the vines, pruned in early winter, had indeed suffered. Fortunately, the wines of this vintage are unique with good structure and power – a combination of vines, soils, minimal human intervention and our natural wine-making philosophy.
Grapes and vines
Seven years in the making, Chateau Musar White is a blend of ancient grape varieties Obaideh and Merwah, indigenous to the mountains of Lebanon and said to be related to Chasselas Chardonnay and Semillon. The Obaideh vineyards are in the foothills of the Anti-Lebanon mountains on stony, chalky soils, while the Merwah vines are on the seaward side of Mount Lebanon, on calcareous gravels. Yields are very low for these untrained bushvines: 10 – 20 hl per hectare. At high altitude (around 1400m) they are still on their own roots, among very few vineyards in the world of this calibre.
Winemaking
Both the Obaideh and Merwah were fermented in new French Nevers oak barrels for 9 months, blended and bottled in the summer of 2018, after cold stabilisation. Powerful aromas pervaded the winery during pressing. Vintage release Spring 2023.
Storage
To keep the wines showing at their best, bottles must be cellared in darkness, lying on their sides and not subjected to unnecessary movement or fluctuations in temperature.
Decanting and serving
Concentrated and complex, Chateau Musar Whites show at their best after several hours’ ‘breathing time’, and should be served ‘cellar cool’ at around 15°C. They excel with pâtés (especially foie gras), rillettes, seafood dishes and will match spicy food as the wine has such intense flavours.
Alk. 11.5% Alc./Vol
incl. Sulfites
