Chateau Musar Fine Wine Tasting

The third generation continues to build on Serge Hochar’s artistic craftsmanship. He has been quoted as saying “I once produced a wine that was technically perfect but it lacked the charms of imperfection”, and the ultimate aim is still to make Musar in the most natural and authentic way, but with a touch of fascinating volatility.

Established in 1930 by Gaston Hochar at the tender age of 20. His inspiration was both the 6,000-year winemaking history of Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley and also his time in Bordeaux – a connection which was strengthened during the Second World War when he befriended Major Ronald Barton of Château Langoa-Barton while he was stationed in Lebanon. Today it is overseen by the third generation. Located in the southern end of Bekaa Valley, around 30km north of Beirut, the altitude and shelter from surrounding mountains provide excellent growing conditions. The Bekaa valley is almost completely disease and frost free with long mild summers and just enough rain in the winter. The wide range of gravelly soils over limestone is also ideal for viticulture. The red grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Carignan are grown on mature, low-yielding vines for extra concentration. Whereas the white grapes are indigenous varieties are better suited to higher altitude, some are grown as high as 1500m above sea level. Harvest is by hand in the cool mornings to preserve freshness, and all of Musar’s wines are produced with minimum intervention, and are not fined or filtered.

Wines on Tasting:

•  Chateau Musar White 2012 - made using two indigenous varietals grown high in the mountains above the Bekaa Valley. Rich, powerful and exceptionally long lived.
• Musar Jeune Red 2018 - unoaked blend of Syrah, Cinsault and Cabernet Sauvignon – the perfect introduction to the wines of Lebanon and the quality of fruit produced in the Bekaa Valley.
• Hochar Pere et Fils 2017 - six months ageing in French oak barrels. A blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Cabernet Sauvignon – showing more of the Musar character and spice, but still retaining the youthful fruit.
• Chateau Musar Red 1998 – a cooler vintage and a lighter, more delicate style of Chateau Musar. Deceptively elegant wine with a powerful finish.
• Chateau Musar Red 2010 – a unique vintage, highest recorded temperature in the Bekaa Valley and a tiny production. Lots of structure balanced with finesse.
• Chateau Musar Red 2014 - twelve months oak ageing, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Carignan is blended and bottled in its third year. Will be released early 2020