Lebanon Wines and How They Taste.

Lebanon Wines and How They Taste. – Episode #115

October 25, 2006

Wines tasted in this episode:

New features for WLTV!

Ask a question of WLTV
The WLTV Forum

Today Gary makes 2 huge announcements to the WLTV Vayniacs and tries four wines from Lebanon and sees where these wines are these days.

120 Responses

October 25, 2006

TimF
In
October 25, 2006

Rick E
I’d watch now but I have to run to the bookstore to pick up a NY Times. Later…

Rick
October 25, 2006

Brandon M
Lebanon…very cool
October 25, 2006

Bill G
Wow! Lebanon wines. And —- Ali G. Great show.
October 25, 2006

Brandon M
Ali G. needs to stop being a lurker and become a poster! If your not allready? hmmmm
October 25, 2006

Marc Mc
Top Ten and on my way to find a NY Times
October 25, 2006

garyv
OK guys come on go to the bulletin board and sign up and say HI!
October 25, 2006

KAHUNA
here is a link to the photo gary showed – I am glad I cleaned the bathroom- did i post in the right spot?

http://64.23.47.227/wltv1.jpg
October 25, 2006

Hinrgman
Lebanon – Cool – episode
October 25, 2006

Christopher
Don’t have access to the nytimes.. but could that be the reason for the server overload? Just maybe.. hope it is a good response.
October 25, 2006

Mike F.
Top ten. Nice ad gary! It reminds me to stock up on some Rossi!
October 25, 2006

Paul B
QOD: Never had a wine from the Middle East. At least that I’m aware of.

Great Ep Gary. Always good to learn about different wine regions.
October 25, 2006

ChrisR
Haven’t watched the ep yet but I LOVE Chateau Musar! The Hochar and Musar Rouge are awesome too. And the story behind the wine is just as complex and fascinating as the wines themselves. Serge Hochar is quite an amazing man and winemaker.
October 25, 2006

TimF
FYI – The guys at Grape Radio did an extended interview with Serge Hochar of Musar about a month ago. It’s a fantastic listen if you’ve got the chance.
October 25, 2006

Chuck W
Will there be 300 comments today?
October 25, 2006

PattyO
Nice intro., Grasshopper!
QOD – who knew? Middle East? It’s escaped my radar – thanks for clueing us in Garyv!
October 25, 2006

Dan G.
QOD Never had one…yet. Im am suprised there wasnt a hint of Hi-Skor 700-X on the finish considering the state of that area of the world. Definitely seems to be worth seeking out. Thanks for the insight.
October 25, 2006

Paul
Now this I didn’t expect – Lebanese wines. And very cool ad today, Gary.
October 25, 2006

Matty Van, Rochester,NY
Great episode as always…I will have to add a few lebanon wines to my next order, hopfully you will be able to get more in stock of the 2004 Chateau Kefraya Les Breteches

QOD – never had one
October 25, 2006

Dan G.
Oh BTW thats where that liberal rag belongs; in the toilet!
October 25, 2006

PattyO
BTW TimF (or whoever recently re-mentioned Grape Radio) – I kept forgetting to check it out till this week and downloaded everything available to my ipod. Listened to the Silva interview (Chile) today and it was a PLETHORA of great grape info.!! Thanks again for the reminder to check them out – I’ll go back and find the Serge Horcha interview, it’s probably old enough that you have to listen on the computer and can’t get it to the ipod.
October 25, 2006

Mike S.
I was pretty underwhelmed by my experience with the ‘97 Musar, but they’re definitely one of the most interesting and intriguing producers I’ve ever come across.
October 25, 2006

Paul
However, I picked up a copy of the NYTimes in the local King’s around the corner from you and there is no ad in that edition. Did I miss it? It’s not in the Dining Out Section. What’s up, Gary? I thought this was national? Went through the entire paper, too.
October 25, 2006

Paul
Never mind!!!!
October 25, 2006

Paul
Brain fart. Can’t see without my glasses.
October 25, 2006

Rob M.
Nice shot with the corks at the end!

Grasshopper- nice intro, glad to finally understand the VaynerClank. I think I understand just about ever other VaynerTerm, but love when he does the VaynerClank.

QOD: Never had Middle Eastern wine before. If anyone scores a supplier for the 2004 Chateau Kefraya Les Breteches, please post it to the bulletin board- WL is already sold out (of it’s one bottle).

New viewers- allow me to highlight a few quick points which make this vlog so valuable. First, as evidenced by Gary tasting a wine that he has none to sell- he does this not to sell wine, but to teach the masses who want to learn about wine. Also, he is not afraid to almost gag on a wine that he has many cases in his warehouse to sell (2003 Chat Musar Cuvee White)- what you see is what you get, and it is 100% honest. Finally, in terms of QPR, Gary will not inflate a wine’s score because of price. For my money, I’d rather pay $10 for the Chat Kefraya for 90 points as opposed to the 1997 Chat Musar for $34 and 91 GV points. He will not inflate the 1997 Chat Musar’s score to dissuade this.

Welcome new viewers, and my posts are usually long winded- feel free to ignore them!
October 25, 2006

drwMD
Did the 2003 Musar get a Vayner-chuckle? Are those listed on Chris’ spreadsheet?
October 25, 2006

hugh
Gary,

Great show today…thanks so much for Tasting Musar. I was fortunate enought to have the 95 on a few occasions…Musar is definitely for those of us who like Bordeaux and Rioja…i have not found them to be very big wines, they are more like a St Emilion with 5-7 years in the bottle

That being said, the 95 would be my favorite…
October 25, 2006

Jonathan G
AHH! new computer at work and I cant install the proper programs to watch!! silly admin restrictions
October 25, 2006

Tony S.
GREAT, GREAT episode!! The only Lebonese wine I know is Musar. And, with that, the QOD is, the best and only wine I had was a 197-something Ch. Musar. I had it here at work and it was a little long in the tooth, but had some nice, earthy characteristics. I remember us all being pretty pleased with it, not blown away, but suprised. I think it was a 1970, 71 or 75.

Either way, funny story: As we opened the Musar, the embossed capsule, which read “Chateau Musar” was halfway faded. “Chateau” was written above “Musar”, and I SWEAR, the only letters that you could read were “hate usa”. The C and au from Chateau and M and r from Musar were faded away.

We kept the cork. It’s in one of the other guy’s office. If you’re in Chicago I’ll show you. OK, see you later,
GO BEARS!!
T
October 25, 2006

Tony S.
I meant, embossed CORK.
T
October 25, 2006

The British Doctor
Long time watcher, first time poster.

Gary you are psychic
I have some wine with dinner, I go out, I come back and update my podcasts!
I had 1998 Chateau Musar with dinner.
Keep up the great work Gary!

Please give me a shout out
October 25, 2006

Brandon M
Geeese…two days in a row I cannot answer the QOTD.

B
October 25, 2006

Mike E
Never tried one, but you opened my eyes.
October 25, 2006

Justin
Gary, you rock!
I appreciate you doing todays episode very much. I have been asking you for days to do a show on wines from this part of the world. QOD – I had an Israeli wine a month back or so. It was ok. It was the Yarden Mt. Herman Red. Nothing that memorable, but for $9 i would drink it again. Still waiting to hear about wines from Georgia(country, not state). Or maybe taste some Blaufrankish(or Kekfrankos), or Egri Bikaver for a show one day. I doubt that many people have had or even heard of these wines.
Cheers!
Justin
October 25, 2006

Godfather
QOD;
I didn’t know there was another Lebanese wine (other than Musar). I had the privledge of tasting Chat Musar several years ago at a local wine club tasting. The vintage was from the 1970’s and it held its own against several prestigeous and well aged Bordeaux. Fine drink indeed!
October 25, 2006

shacke
You threw the cork! You do read comments – thanks Gary
October 25, 2006

Jason R.
Gary – With all the things going on today – you forgot to mention how long these were open before tasting.

Also – I like the “One for GaryV and one for the Hommies” Re: Musar White – Nice – Thats a first!!!

Off to check out the VaynerForum & AskAVaynerPhile
October 25, 2006

ChrisR
Great episode. Chat. Musar rocks. Did you know that Bekaa is believed to be the origin of wine?

QOD: I love Slovenia’s MOVIA Red Wine. Ever since I tasted it, it has been haunting me. I can’t find it anywhere. I hope Wine Library finds a way to get some.

Fun NYT Ad. It is not often that I get to my family I was quoted in the New York Times!
October 25, 2006

Jaye
Gary, Eric, and all involved parties . . . the new features are truly fabulous! The time and resources that went into these is obviously considerable. I want you to know how appreciated this is.

Can’t answer QOD, never had a wine from the “cradle of civilization”.

I took a GREAT picture today of the ad with a very well-known celebrity . . . unfortunately I am out of town and don’t have my camera cable with me to upload to you, but I will get that done late tomorrow night when I get back home. Any guesses on the celebrity? I will start a thread on the forum to get people’s guesses on the celebrity — I will allow up to 20 yes or no questions too to help in the contest.
October 25, 2006

DJA
Different view. Did not know about these wines. Like the new additions as well. The forum should be quite promising. Looking forward to whats next.
October 25, 2006

Susan
The British Doctor,
Hey!
Glad to have you come out of the shadows!
Please feel free to comment on every episode!
Tell your frineds about WLTV!
October 25, 2006

Susan
Gary-
I LOVE the ad!
Great job!
Even got a shot of that infamous Jets lunch box!
Wow!
Keep up the good work!
October 25, 2006

Denise
Thanks for another inspiring episode, Gary. I’m looking forward to trying some wines from Lebanon.

QOD: If I’ve ever tasted wine from the Middle East, I don’t remember it (still suffering from wine amnesia…two pregnancies wreaked havoc on my wine journey and I’m still recovering). Full immersion in WLTV, study, and tasting is beginning to help.
October 25, 2006

NickG
Regular viewer since stumbling upon WLTV while doing an internet search for a favorite wine a week or two ago. Thanks for the entertaining and educational show!

As for the QOD, never had a wine from the Middle East. Sounds like I should though.
October 25, 2006

Susan
NickG,
Hey!
Thanks for coming in out of the shadows!
Feel free to comment for each episode.
Please tell your friends about WLTV!
October 26, 2006

ML
Hats off to you Gary for covering a very controversial topic…lesbian wines.
October 26, 2006

Arnold
One bottole left?!? That’s cruel.
If anyone is interested, I found a site that searches online wine stores:
http://www.wine-searcher.com/
There’s a paid membership for full access to results but you can narrow down your search by state and you can usually find a result near by… at least in NYC.
October 26, 2006

big_cigar
I would have to say that the Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 to 2002 from the Golan Heights Winery in Israel is my favorite Middele Eastern Wine. Other years are good but these are excellent.
Try them.
October 26, 2006

MarcT
Gary…very cool episode. I have not had any Mid East wines so I don’t have any imput for the QOTD.
October 26, 2006

DJAAA
Gary,

Great show! I too love pickles – new, dill – you name it! Nothing like a gherkin too!

Question – When you tasted the Musar, it was a grape you’d never tasted. That said, when you looked at the color, you thought it was a good looking color. If it doesn’t taste good, then does the color matter?

QOD: I don’t know that I’ve had a middle eastern wine – much like most everyone else. Lord knows, I will look at them now!

Thanks Gary!
October 26, 2006

Shahar Golan
Greate episode Gary!

What’s the best Mid-East wine I had ever tasted? Well, that’s a tough question to ask an Israeli…

The Mid-East doesn’t suffer too much from weather problems, so vintages in Israel are more about the age of the vines, but there are of course some exceptional years.

2000 Margalit Cabernet Sauvignon Special Reserve (Talk about fruit bombs)
1999 Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon (Always a sure hit, regrdless of the vintage)
2005 Clos de Gat Semillon (Best Israeli white wine, to my humble bla bla bla)

Since you are aware of the Mid-East conflict, I’m sure you know you have no other way; you will tape an episode on Israeli wines soon.
October 26, 2006

Eugene
Gary,

Thank you for very interesting episode, which just proves my wine buying rule # 27:

Never buy unknown sh*t without trying or recommendation from friend/respectable person with similar taste in wines.

Pricing seams slightly off. For virtually unknown wines without rating 16 bones for a bottle of white-they are heading right up against Hugel and Trumbach etc.
One can get almost two bottle of Gloria Ferrer chard or Cancannon or Babich SB for this kind of dough.

Gary,
To keep things in balance, how about an episode on Israeli wines? I keep reading that there are world class now and not just from Concord grape. Israel has long history of wine making-longer than Romans.

QOTD:

Falafel is the closest thing I can think of. :=)
October 26, 2006

Jim
Tampa Bay Steve,

NYT ran the same Wine Spectator ad offering free website access last Wednesday as well. Not buying the conspiracy.

Jim
October 26, 2006

E
Great episode. Is ‘97 the current vintage of Musar, and will it get better with time?

QOTD: thought about experimenting with the Kefraya last year, but didn’t pull the trigger. Kind of wish I had …

Israeli wines ought to be interesting. Don’t have any firsthand experience with those either.
October 26, 2006

Eugene
Anybody else having problems logging in?

I keep getting this under 13 crap and wrong user name/password stuff.
October 26, 2006

Pete J.
Love the blog! Searched through NYT but couldn’t find ad. Oh, well-didn’t need it anyway to figure out your great inventory and service! Keep on licking, smelling, tasting and spitting.
October 26, 2006

Julius
Several years ago I had the 1996 Chateau Kefraya Comte de M. As best as I can recall (the gray matter not being what it once was) it was a great bottle of wine; lush, full bodied, lots of fruit yet good amount of earthiness and ripe tannin, comparable to a fine Bordeaux. I think it was $50 which when compared to something like a Ducru or Cos is a good value. But I think I may have to seek out its sibling, the Les Bretesche. Especially when I can buy 4 bottle of it for the same price as 1 Comte de M.
October 26, 2006

Lawrence Leichtman
Always interesting Gary. Have tried many Israeli wines depite the fact of having grown up with Carmel wines. Gamla from the Golan and Yarden from Golan have been great, went to every winery in Israel with my soldier cousins. Enjoyed the experince. Chateau Musar has always been on my wine list.
October 26, 2006

Tom T.
Gary,

Would like to try the 2004 Chateau Kefraya Les Breteches.
Can you get it in house?

Tom
October 26, 2006

Italian Stallion
Hey guys,

I don’t want to sound mean, but Susan…you need to stop writing the same thing everytime someone posts a message, especially a lurker. I don’t know if it bothers anyone else, but its tiresome

QOD: Gary, I never had any middle eastern wines, but you need to order more Chateau Kefraya Les Breteches 2004……I would love to pick up a few bottles and try them
October 26, 2006

stewart l
Great episode today. One of my partners is from Beirut and will be going back there over the holidays. I will definitely ask her to pick me up the Chateau Kefraya.
October 26, 2006

stewart l
My partner says the Ch. Kefraya is actually more popular than the Ch. Musar.
October 26, 2006

Richard B
Gary,

Not had any yet .. but have been wanting to try some from Lebanon. Question: Have you tasted or do you stock any Northern Israeli wines? This territory is adjacent to the Bekaa Valley so wondered how similar these might be?
October 26, 2006

Susan
Italian Stallion-
Do you ever stop complaining about everything!
What a positive attitude!
October 26, 2006

Susan
Bye!
October 26, 2006

Brandon M
Susan…what does bye! mean?
October 26, 2006

TimF
Bye!

Function: interjection
Etymology: short for goodbye
– used to express farewell; often used with following now
October 26, 2006

Brandon M
Thanks TimF…I can always count on you
October 26, 2006

Susan
Ironic!
I think it is!
I try to welcome people in while
I am being kicked out!
Nice!
October 26, 2006

TimF
I think some folks around here haven’t been around bulletin boards very long. The stuff I’m seeing out here is _very_ tame. There have been a few flames, but they have generally been very mild. You’ve got to remember that in an anonymous environment people tend to say a lot of things they’d hold back in person. If someone gets on someone else’s nerves, they’re going to tell you — you can count on it. My suggestion to anyone who is offended is to just let it go. When you fire back, the flamer views it as a victory (ultimate victory of course being when the flamee leaves forever). Just remember, never wrestle with a pig. You get muddy and the pig enjoys it…
October 26, 2006

Susan
Tim F-
You are right!
Never wrestle with a pig!
You said it not me!
If I want someone to act like a pig, I have plenty of pigs in this town.
We have enough for 5 or 6 towns.
I don’t need to go online to find pigs.
We will just have from remember some people are from CA and
are here to prove it.
On the opposite side is me, who is trying to be nice and welcome people in!
October 26, 2006

Susan
Tim F & Eugene,
You are both refreshing!
Nice and refreshing.
How many wars would we have in this world if everyone was nice?
October 26, 2006

KAHUNA
I think I was called moronic once- I kind of liked it!
October 26, 2006

Susan
Kahuna,
I try not to call people names.
I prefer to rise above such low thinking!
October 26, 2006

zerokreap (kw)
man, i didn’t think i would ever get to watch this episode…network was running slow today
October 26, 2006

TimF
Okay, enough with the chit-chat. What’s the ETA on the next episode?
October 26, 2006

Susan
Soon- we will get another episode Soon!
Please be patient.
October 26, 2006

diego de la p...
wheress wine libraryy tv!!! its getting late haha
October 26, 2006

Dan G.
6:20 and no WLTV Hmmmm.
October 26, 2006

garyv
Guys NO WLTV today, i went fishing with Pops Bobby and Jeff today and was trying to make it back but it got late and I have a lot to do…be back tomorrow with a good one
October 26, 2006

Brandon M
AHHHHHHH MANNNNNNNN!

Hope you caught some great ones!
October 26, 2006

Jim
What did you catch???
October 26, 2006

garyv
Im gonna be in the bulletin Board tonight….soon see some of you there
October 26, 2006

mikep
Where is Danny Thomas when you need him? Oh thats right, how about Marlo then or Uncle Tanuse
October 26, 2006

Pinot Noir Guy
I’m addicted. It’s 8:00 PM and today’s WLTV has not been posted. I got the shakes. Not sure one will be posted for today and I won’t be able to sleep. Wooo is me!
October 26, 2006

Matty Van, Rochester NY
Gary – Take my advice and do up some stock episodes… I am sure you really wanted to have a episode today…the 2nd day after an expensive national ad
October 26, 2006

Italian Stallion
Susan, I don’t know what you mean about me complaining about everything, cause if you look at my past posts, I dont think I have complained once…….anyways, I didn’t mean to offend you….but I just had to say it, because it was bothering me.
October 27, 2006

Tony
Susan,

“We will just have from remember some people are from CA and are here to prove it. On the opposite side is me, who is trying to be nice and welcome people in!”

Hey, I’m from California, and have I ever been mean to you? I really think that painting all Californians with the same brush is just wrong. I’m not clear on what’s happened on the board since I’ve been gone, but I guess Italian Stallion (who’s from NJ I think) and maybe somebody else hurt your feelings. OK, but don’t take it out on me.

I think it’s great that you welcome people in. Being rude and unwelcoming is a New York thing, NOT a California thing.
October 27, 2006

Tony
BTW Gary, some advice: You NEED a graphic designer. Trust me on this. I’m not trying to be mean, but your ad looked cheap and amateurish. Sorry to say it – you know I love you – but it didn’t look professional.

If you’re going to shell out the shekels for a national ad, make it look top notch. Look at the WS ad on the previos page – clean fonts, excellent use of white space, sparing use of text and graphics. Top notch with the right kind of impact on the market segment they’re trying to reach. WLTV – not so good in comparison.

I hate to come back after a trip and have something bad to say, but when I picked up the ad (in the airport in Alanta, BTW) I was pretty disappointed in how professional it looked. So, please, get a designer or an ad agency to do your national ads. It’ll more than pay for itself.
October 27, 2006

Brandon M
Tony…welcome back, we missed you…mentioned you a few times on the BB.

I didn’t realize Susan had said that, I think she was talking about me, as I was being sarcastic to her and she didn’t realize my humor yet.

Susan…in a seriousness…that was a very tacky comment. How many Californians do you really know, amd why would I try to prove I was from here?…wierd at best!
October 27, 2006

Joe Swirl
I like the show. I think Gary’s got a good thing going and I appreciate the honest raw way he tastes – like we do when we’re tasting with good friends. So, this is like a party and Gary’s the host.

QOD – I can’t name one.

Gary – how’s business?
October 27, 2006

Julius
Hey Brandon – I once heard it said that a Californian’s idea of culture is yogurt. (jaj)
October 27, 2006

Lynne
Very interesting episode..never have had any wines from the Middle East. I wasn’t aware they existed. We live in a very rural area and access is a huge problem. Good thing WL can ship to my state! Every “non-yellow-tail” variety I’ve tried has been a result of WLTV and input from the VaynIacs..so thanks to you all! GV, do you expect to get any Chat. Kefraya in stock in the near future?

PS…I won’t mention the Bengals, either.
October 27, 2006

Lynne
What goes with obeideh? How about “Oblada….lala how the life goes on.”?

Can’t get a hard copy of the Times…Is there another way to see the ad?
October 27, 2006

Brandon M
Julius…that’s so great. Very well thought out!
October 27, 2006

Brandon M
October 27, 2006

Brandon M
I meant whoever said it, not you, that sounded bad after I read it back
October 27, 2006

Italian Stallion
Tony,

Definition of hypocritical:

“Hey, Iâ€™m from California, and have I ever been mean to you? I really think that painting all Californians with the same brush is just wrong……Being rude and unwelcoming is a New York thing, NOT a California”

So instead of painting all Californians with that brush, you’d rather paint New Yorkers with that brush……very ironic.

PS: I am a New Yorker, born and raised…..We aren’t rude, just HONEST and if that comes across rude then you need be more thick skinned.

Oh and Tony…you may want to read this article to see where New York stands on the list of “friendliest cities in the U.S”

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2004-03-23-best-cities_x.htm

Next time you make a claim, make sure its accurate or you lose credibility
October 27, 2006

Italian Stallion
forget all the fighting……lets all just be friends, drink wine and by God watch WLTV and our hero Gary Vay-ner-chuk. This thread is all about our love/passion for wine, not to argue. So i apologize to everyone.

Your the man Gary
October 27, 2006

Jason R.
Brandon – You mean for the past 32 years I have been wrong??? All Californian’s dont surf, smoke weed, & drive around in flower painted VW busses?? WTH – LOL
October 27, 2006

Brandon M
ya buddy…your wrong!
You forgot that we all have blond hair.
October 27, 2006

Tony
Hey, Stallion, did you see the smiley? I was just kidding! I was trying to parody painting Californians with a broad brush by painting New Yorkers with the same brush.

Jason, oh wow man! You pegged me exactly! Dude, how did you know? I mean, that’s like, totally awesome!

Time to get stoned, take the van down to the beach and surf. Wow, cool.
October 27, 2006

Julius
Back in my day being in California meant hanging out in Candlestick Park listening to the Airplane and the Dead.
October 27, 2006

Julius
Or sometimes catch a concert at the fillmore (Quicksilver Messenger Service, Vanilla Fudge, Procol Harem, etc) hhhhmmmm, I must be having an acid flashback.
October 27, 2006

TimF
What’s the best weed/wine pairing? Does anyone ever use wine in lieu of water for their bongs?
October 27, 2006

Julius
TimF – Terrible idea. The alcohol burns the throat as you inhale, as opposed to the soothing effect the water provides.
October 27, 2006

Brandon M
I think your day was a few sunsets before mine Julius, cause mine is seeing Pearl Jam in Mountain View.
October 27, 2006

PattyO
Happy Friday Vaynerbloggers!
I know old habits die hard..
Gary did suggest that we now use the WLTV Forum for the personal and non-episode-related chat, and keep this comment segment for dialog about the episode and the QOD. I notice that about the point where Stallion commented about Susan (#60 or so?) the conversation sort of migrated back into the old pattern of being about the bloggers and not about the episode or wine.
Just an observation.
October 27, 2006

Brandon M
It’s all your fault Stallion!
October 27, 2006

PattyO
E – (#55) you asked ” Is â€˜97 the current vintage of Musar, and will it get better with time?”
I just listened (thanks to Tim F I think) to the Grape Radio episode from Sept. 11 (ironically – I just thought of that date and that it was an interview with a middle-eastern wine maker) which was an hour-long interview with Serge Musar. You have to listen hard because his accent is thick, but it’s fascinating! It seems that the Lebanese approach to aging wine is WAY different than what we’re used to. First, he says they NEVER even bottle prior to 3 years age. Then, he talks about that they’re just now drinking Musar WHITES that are vintages from the ’50s and ’60s. He says they’re positively unreal. So, while it is hard to even find anything on our market that’s older than about 2001, the ‘97 Musar would appear to be a baby in the Lebanese standard and from what Musar seemed to be saying, would just get finer and finer with even more maturity. If you could find it – I’d think that for $10 it’d be worth putting a half-case in the cellar and find out!
October 27, 2006

PattyO
And – wondering about the Musar Cuvee white GV poured out into the spit bucket…
Maybe it just needs another 40 years in the cellar. Who knows what “gasoline on the hand, stuck in a bucket of water” could turn into with 40 years to evolve…
Gary – can you put one away and re-taste it for episode #8,000?
October 28, 2006

SS Chris
Gary, I’ve been real busy at work and I’m catching up on my SS responsibilities.

First of all, great episode…funny, informative, entertaining…it had it all. Is there any chance of WL getting more of the $10 bone Les Breteches?

Secondly, don’t worry, I definitely caught you busting my balls…as you were announcing the the “Ask WLTV?” feature, you said:

“Chris’s SS is up here as well, with the Bulletin Board, but more importantly…well…not more importantly than the SS….that is THE most important thing.” And then you kind of winked at me.

I LOOOOOVE it when you bust my stones like that….HYSTERICAL. And….I know I deserve it.

P.S. After I defend your honor w/ Derek re: the Corte Riva, and you allow the “Aussie” to go after me the way he did (#341 on Ep 114) LOL LOL
October 28, 2006

SS Chris
drwMD…

You wrote in #27, “Did the 2003 Musar get a Vayner-chuckle? Are those listed on Chrisâ€™ spreadsheet?”

Check out the SS….thanks for the input.
October 30, 2006

Italian Stallion
LOL….I tried to make amends
December 18, 2006

Michael
I have had the 1997 Musar and completely agree with your comments. It is not, however, for those who like extracted, Aussie style wines. My favorite Lebanese wine, however, is the 1997 Kefraya Comte de M, which is the flashsip wine from Kefraya. I took a bottle to our usual restaurant, which has a very solid wine list. The sommelier was even impressed with this wine. TRY LEBANESE WINES!
June 9, 2007

Karl Laczko
Just had the 1999 Musar and it was excellent. I got cherries, chocolate and mint and it sounds like it was not too different to the 1997 in that respect (I know Musar don’t try to keep the style the same each vintage). If this where Lebanese wines are then I’m in. I also have the 2004 Kefraya in the cellar, so this review is making me more likely to open that sooner rather than later.
January 26, 2008

Grapedigger
I love Lebanese wines. The best wine that I had from the ME was a red Lebanese one: CH. Kefraya Comte De M 2000, a rival to the legendary Musar. Cheers.
June 2, 2008

Karl Laczko
Finally cracked open my 2004 Kefraya. Light and spicy on the nose, this is a medium bodied red, dark cherry in colour and with elegant legs. It sits delicately on the palate, light but perfectly balanced, mellow tannins at the front of the mouth and top of the tongue and a warming sensation at the back of the throat as it slips down. Flavours include cherry and chocolate with a medium finish. 89-90pts.
September 22, 2009

John J.
Great episode Gary, Lebanon wines! never had one, knew of them, really eager to try them now. Always love when you talk about the lesser known wines/wine areas. Speaking of which, an episode on vin jaune’s would be great. Would love to see you do one on tasting different charbono’s too.