Château Musar Red 2019 vs Château Pibran 2017
Compare current tracked prices, stockists and core specifications.
| Availability | In stock | In stock |
|---|---|---|
| Best current price | £40.50 | £40.50 |
| Current stockists | 1 merchant | 1 merchant |
| Producer | Château Musar | Château Pibran |
| Style | Red | Red |
| Grape | Cabernet Sauvignon | Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Size | 750ml | 750ml |
| Where to buy |
Château Musar Red 2019
"My wines are my legacy. When I have finished talking, they will talk for me." Serge Hochar Our Wine Director Tom Harrow has been lucky enough to visit Musar in Ghazir several times, tasting through young and ancient vintages with Ronald Hochar, his nephew Gaston, and winemaker Tarek Sakr. Neal Martin, writing for Vinous, put it well: Musar is " a remarkable estate " whose wines gained prominence thanks to Serge Hochar — " an irrepressibly joyful man with limitless energy " — and whose reputation was cemented by Michael Broadbent, one of the great champions of the domaine. 2019 was a remarkable year — record rainfall after years of drought, delivering real concentration and precision. Equal parts Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carignan, fermented in concrete with natural yeasts, twelve months in French Nevers oak, bottled without fining or filtration. It has impressive depth, a real thread of salinity, genuine architecture from the tannin and acidity. Ready now, but built for the long haul. "The 2019 is one of the best young Musars I can remember opening. There's a thread of salinity running through it that's immediately distinctive — this is a wine that tastes of somewhere specific, the Bekaa Valley heat held in check by the altitude and that record rainfall giving real precision to the fruit. The Cinsault brings a lifted, almost silky quality to the red fruit; the Carignan the spine and the grip; the Cabernet the architecture. Twelve months in Nevers oak, unfined, unfiltered — you can feel the lack of interference. It's serious without being severe, and there's a generosity here that tells you it will reward patience as much as it rewards opening now. Drink from 2025 to 2045, though I suspect many bottles won't make it that far." Tom Harrow
Château Pibran 2017
The 2017 Château Pibran is a superb wine from the AXA stable (and a close cousin to Château Pichon Baron). It displays a good colour—moderate to rich garnet with some lingering purple hues. The nose is sweet and inviting, offering aromas of currants, stewed plums, and hints of Ribena. On the palate, it strikes a balance between freshness and depth, with plenty of dark fruit flavours complemented by a soft to moderate mouthfeel. The fruit lingers nicely on the finish, and while the tannins are present, they are not overpowering.
Prices and availability reflect the latest tracked merchant checks and may change before checkout.