A TASTE OF LEBANON

I’ve mentioned iconic Lebanese producer Chateau Musar in this column before and I recently hosted a vertical tasting masterclass of their wines alongside Elliot O’Mara, from Chateau Musar UK, who gave us a great insight into the past and present of the producer.

We delved into a back catalogue of vintages as far back as 1969, and as usual, the ever evolving wines impressed and delighted a room full of Chateau Musar fans. It is a wine capable of long aging and each taster had their personal favourite vintages.

For me the 1997 with intense fruit, cedar, wood smoke and spice aromas, full body, structure, dark berries and a lingering resilience lifted by a fresh acidity was a superstar.

Then the 2000 was complex – spicy, and smooth and long lasting, and what about the warm spices and fig and raisin characters of the structured 2006? Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Elliot also treated us to the recently released Chateau Musar 2011, a typical third of each blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Carignan. It’s perfumed with hints of mint and forward raspberry and blueberry. Full and structured with spice and blueberry notes and tuned acidity, I can’t wait to see how this evolves in 10, 20 and even 30 years’ time. It’s available from independents such as Wine Raks in Aberdeen and Raeburn Fine Wines in Edinburgh.

MALBEC WORLD DAY

There are a number of days in the year dedicated to drinks and grapes, and if you haven’t already got it noted in your diary, Malbec World Day takes place on Tuesday, April 17.

Malbec belongs to Bordeaux, but only occasionally plays a small part in blends there, and in France it is better known as the grape of Cahors in the South West. Known for its deep colour, it can give ripe damson and dark berry fruit characters.

These days, it is perhaps best known in Argentina where it is the most widely planted red grape after being transported to the country in 853 and becoming firmly established.

The choice of the Malbec World Day date of April 17 is significant as this was the date on which a bill was submitted to establish a Quinta Normal, the first school of agriculture in Argentina. For more on the celebration, visit www.winesofargentina.or/malbecworldday.

The sunshine in Argentina brings out the lushness and as vineyards mature and grapes are planted at varying altitude levels, a range of styles are produced.

If you would like to create your own celebration of Malbec, here are a few tried and tested suggestions.

Caliterra ‘Tributo’ 2015, Colchagua Valley Chile RRP £13.30

Tasting this single vineyard wine takes me back to a gloriously sunny afternoon spent visiting Caliterra a few years ago. It’s thought that Malbec first arrived in Chile from Bordeaux in the 1840s and based on this wine, I’d like to see more of it being produced. With scents of cedarwood, cinnamon and clove, it’s full bodied, savoury and rich with a lovely purity of dark berry fruit. The French oak aging is subtle and the finish smooth and lingering. Available from Ellies Cellar, Dollar; R&I Neish, Peterhead; Vino Wines, Edinburgh.

Leftfield Malbec 2014, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand RRP £17.45

I think that this might be my first NZ Malbec, all the way from the warmer Gimblet Gravels area in the North Island Hawkes Bay region. With the fragrance of a dark berry fruit salad and touches of vanilla and wood smoke, it’s a glass full of fresh juicy berries, well-tuned oak and ripe tannins.

Bodega La Rural – Pequena Vasija 2016, Mendoza, Argentina £10.50

Liquorice and spice scents with plum and blueberry notes lead to an easy drinking ripe, smooth red with juicy blueberry and tangy raspberry flavours.

Rutini Wines ‘Trumpeter’ 2014, Mendoza, Argentina £14

On this sniff, there’s fig and blackberry with savoury and leather hints. Its full bodied and complex with ripe tannins, dark berry and raisin touches and a soft and silky lingering finish. Try alongside roast lamb.

Both Argentine wines are from Dion Wine and Spirits, established in 2015 with a HQ in Aberdeen, it has a focus on niche and medium size producers primarily from the New World. Further information for bars and restaurants is available at www.dionwines.com

Products are now available for the public to purchase online at www.wines-and-spirits.co.uk, a partnership between Dion Wines and Inverurie Whisky Shop. To help celebrate Malbec World Day, P&J readers logging on to www. wines-and-spirits.co.uk can get free delivery on orders which include Trumpeter Malbec until the end of April 2018. Use the following code on the website: #FreeDelivery-P&J