When you’re lucky enough to escape the plight of their bottle variations and faults, Musar’s wines have this POTENTIAL to deliver some spark of magic, and almost makes you feel like you’ve struck lottery. When they are good, they are so fucking good.

The 2001 is nothing like any other vintages from the winemaker: just charcoal and smoke.

In the glass: bright garnet that still held onto some ruby. Unlike most Musars, this isn’t quite as cloudy as usual, but it is every bit as full of sediments.

On the nose: if youve ever bought smoked salt, you’ll understand how this wine smells. This was aromatic charcoal smoke upfront, layers of leather and spices, and cherries. This is super complex, and beautiful. That said, I wish I had caught this a little younger when it still had more fruit. That would’ve been amazing.

On the palate: mid+ acidity that’s bright. Good intensity of red fruits on the palate, palate coating, long finish and that fuuuully resolved tannins: this was silky smooth. Mid or mid- body.

It is Musars like this bottle, that makes fools continue to take the gamble with buying them.