Today we share one of the great wine properties in the world, based in Lebanon. Chateau Musar is located in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, and was founded in 1930 by Gaston Hochar. In 1959, after studying oenology at the University of Bordeaux, his son Serge became winemaker. Serge produced wines even through the Civil War (1975-90). The Hochar family continues to run this historic winery. The vineyards of Chateau Musar are located in the Bekaa Valley and in Mount Barouk, around Kefraya and Aana, which is about a two-hour drive from the winery in Ghazir, just north of Beirut. Red wines are comprised of Cinsault, Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah & Grenache while white wines are composed of indigenous varietals Obaideh (a native of Chardonnay) and Merwah (a native variant of Semillion), as well as Chardonnay, Viognier & Vermentino.
I love the new 2019 Chateau Musar ‘Hochar’ Red Wine (OB, 92) which is dense and chewy with a soft mouthfeel. This beautiful wine will cellar well for another ten years easily. Learn more about this famed winery at https://chateaumusar.com Here are the great new wines by Chateau Musar.
2021 Chateau Musar ‘Musar Jeaune’ Rose- Very fresh with a polished texture, the 2021 Chateau Musar ‘Musar Jeaune’ Rose offers ripe watermelon and cantaloupe flavors with tart red cherries on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2022-2025- 90
2020 Chateau Musar ‘Musar Jeaune’ Red Wine- The 2020 ‘Musar Jeaune’ comes from a range of young vines and blends 50% Cinsault with 35% Syrah and the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon. Very smooth and vibrant with great underlying acidity, the wine shows worn leather and citrus zest notes alongside a core of tart red fruits. Drink 2022-2030- 90
2019 Chateau Musar ‘Hochar Pere et Fils’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Hochar Pere et Fils’ Red WIne is a gorgeous blend of 50% Cinsault with 40% Grenache and the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon all sourced from vineyards near the village of Aana — which is set 1000 meters above sea level. Stored for 6 months in French Nevers oak barrels, this reveals garrigue and salted wet stone notes combine with ripe boysenberries and suggestions of white truffle on the nose. The palate is rich and refined with a soft texture. Enjoy now and over the next ten to twelve years. Drink 2022-2032- 92