Chateau Musar Blanc 2018
(Bekaa Valley, Lebanon) - [WE 96] [WS 91]

About the Wine:
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.

Grape Varietals:
Obaideh 60% Merwah 40%-ancient Lebanese varieties dating back thousands of years. The first of our two indigenous varieties, Merwah was harvested on the 18th September, followed by Obaideh on the 22nd.

Vintage:
2018 began with an impressive 355mm of rain and snow in January, while February was also abundant with 162mm of rain to irrigate the soils. March followed with 41mm and April, with 27mm, was the icing on the cake. After the 15th of April, a surprise increase in temperature encouraged the vines to open. May & June were exceptional as 52mm and 32mm of rain fell during the blooming period; the vines loved the additional water and the harvest certainly looked promising. July was true to form with no water and temperatures increased to an average of 35 degrees Celsius. Then in August we had a 3day heatwave with temperatures of 39 and 40 degrees.

Tasting Notes:
Fine lemon-gold, bright and fresh looking, which will develop as the wine ages over several decades- Chateau Musar white vintages are known for their incredible ageing potential. Aromas of lemon and lime, oregano and pine, following through to a zesty vibrant palate with pears, apples and fresh Mediterranean herbs. It is both youthful and complex with long lasting flavours. Serve at cellar temperature (15C) rather than chilled.

Ratings & Reviews

96 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"The beautifully textured palate of this creamy, amber-hued wine has nuanced lemon, tangerine, clove, honey, and gently oxidative flavors. Expect velvety tannins on the long, citrus-driven finish." - Emily Saladino (Dec 2025)

91 Points - Wine Spectator:
"A golden-hued, late-release white, with a distinctive profile of sun tea, honeycomb and white chocolate flecked with blanched almond, green herbs and mint. Firm and dry on the palate, with chalky tannins framing the long, bitter-edged finish. Mature, atypical and not for everyone, but fans of the style will find a lot to love. Merwah and Obaideh. Drink now through 2030. 1,350 cases made." - Kristen Bieler (Apr 2026)