1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005
I want to buy a case, sample one now and drink the case over the next 8-10 years. How does the vintages compare? any clear winners, different styles etc. I know next to nothing about Musar other than i have decided i need to try it.
1999 would be my pick as the best of these. And oddly enough, though still a young wine, it is aromatically open and very pleasurable now.
2000 is relatively weak in comparison to these others. A nice enough wine, but gentle and not really as funky and full of personality as the others.
2002 is probably going turn out fantastic but is completely shut down now.
2003 is a good wine, but IMO not on the level of 1999, 2002 and 2005.
2005 is another year that I think will eventually turn out fantastic.
But 1999 is pretty much a perfect Musar so just go with that if you just want one year.
Otto, thanks for the info. I presume no problem for the 99 to last another decade?
There shouldn’t be. Musars last amazingly well. I’ve had red Musars from the mid-50s and whites from the late-50s onward and all have not only survived but have aged beautifully.
Amazing the price difference from UK to US. In the Uk you can get the 2000 and 99 for under 30$. US over 60$.
Yes indeed. i am in europe and buying from the uk. th 2005 vintage is 170 GBP in bond for a case which roughly compares to 25$ per bottle and the 1999 is about 34$
No problem to go the next 20 years, and probably a lot longer. Though don’t be surprised to find some bottle variation (occasionally brett and/or VA), which does occur in Musar. I agree that the 1999 is the best choice of those vintages you listed. I think 2001 and 2004 are also good vintages, but they weren’t on your list.
Chris, thanks for the advice. 01 and 04 is not available to me unfortunately
Mattias, I don’t think that’s a great problem. '01 and '04 are both good, but '99 and '02 are IMO better. The choices available to you include all the young vintages I’ve been most excited about.