Chateau Musar
Marc Hochar
Jane Sowter
East Wing Office, Earsham Hall
GB - NR35 2AN Bungay
Suffolk
+441508482733
info@chateaumusar.co.uk
www.chateaumusar.com
Certification:
CCBP Organic certification for Vineyards
Wine-growing region:
Lebanon
Housed in an 18th-century castle in Ghazir, about 25 km north of Beirut, Chateau Musar was founded in 1930 by Gaston Hochar, inspired by Lebanon’s 6,000-year winemaking tradition. The vines for the estate’s unique wines are located in the famed Bekaa Valley at altitudes ranging from 1,000 to 1,500 meters, an area celebrated for its viticulture since Biblical times. The vineyards’ remote location, coupled with the Hochar family’s respect for the environment, resulted in Chateau Musar’s vineyards being the first to receive organic certification in Lebanon in 2006. The wines of Chateau Musar have been produced with a ‘non-interventionist’ winemaking philosophy since the 1960s.
Chateau Musar first achieved international recognition during the Bristol Wine Fair in England in 1979, where the wine press and prominent critics, including Michael Broadbent, declared it "the discovery of the fair." In 1984, Decanter wine magazine named Serge Hochar their first ever "Wine Personality of the Year." Today, Chateau Musar wines are known worldwide for their finesse, elegance, and extraordinary ability to age.
The late Serge Hochar used to say, "The harmony of nature is better than anything we could ever create. I believe it should be a priority to seek to drink what is 'true' rather than what is 'good.' I once produced a wine that was technically perfect but it lacked the charms of imperfection." The third generation, led by Gaston Hochar (Serge’s son), along with his brother Marc and cousin Ralph, have followed in the footsteps of their forefathers to continue and expand their legacy.
Retailers:
Velier S.p.A.
2022 Musar Jeune Red
N/A
Cinsault, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon
Red wine
A bright, vibrant ruby colour; the 2022 vintage is bursting with rich fruits. A traditional Musar Jeune nose with dark cherries and berries, it is all at once juicy and fresh with pomegranate, cranberries and herbal scents of violet and thyme. Dense and energetic on the palate with smooth tannins and lively acidity.
2021 Hochar Père et Fils Red
N/A
Cinsault, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon
Red wine
Dark ruby in colour with cherry fruit, sweet spices and a smokiness on the nose. Cherries and blackcurrant follow through to the palate with a hint of rose (from the Grenache of this year). It is an elegant but full-bodied wine from a year with no climatic extremes – from winter pruning to the September harvest.
2019 Chateau Musar Red
N/A
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Carignan
Red wine
The 2019 vintage is dark, broody and spicy and blood red in colour. The aromas are blueberry, cranberry and blackcurrant with black olives and a touch of cloves, these follow through to the palate with added cherries, plum and spice. There is also a note of black pepper and it finishes with a good level of acidity and fine integrated tannins. It is a well balanced wine, mature and ready for drinking upon it’s release at 7 years of age and has excellent ageing potential
1999 Chateau Musar Red
N/A
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Carignan
Red wine
The colour is a brilliant, deep red with a nose full of red and black fruits - cherries and cassis, with nuances of vanilla and chocolate. This follows through to the palate, which is rich, well balanced and powerful. Mellow spices are evident in the beginning, mature red fruits surround very smooth tannins and a hint of orange is apparent on the very long finish.
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