Chateau Musar Hochar Père et Fils Red
Located over a two and a half hour drive from Lebanon’s storied Bekaa Valley, Gaston Hochar established Chateau Musar in 1930. While the winery may not be in the Bekaa Valley, the vineyards are. Organic since 2006, Musar vineyards are managed with minimal human interference and all the wines are made naturally.
Chateau Musar creates three series of wine. The top series, Chateau Musar, includes a red, rosé, and white. Next comes the Hochar Père et Fils Red, and finally the Musar Jeune series (red, rosé, and white).
The Hochar Père et Fils Red, from which I somehow got my hands on, is sometimes referred to as the ‘second wine’ of Chateau Musar. However, according the winery’s website, this is not an accurate description. The grapes used in this blend come from a single vineyard near the Bekaa Valley village of Aana. The vineyard, characterized by deep soils over limestone, holds mature (average 30 years old) bush vines which produce low yields.
At the winery, grapes are individually fermented in cement vats then age between six and nine months in French barrique. Wines are blended to best reflect the character of each vintage and are released a full four years after the harvest.
Chateau Musar Hochar Père et Fils Red 2011 Tasting Notes
I got a bottle of the 2011 vintage. I don’t exactly recall how but it’s pretty safe to bet it was a gift from my Lebanese boss. The 2011 blended together Cinsault (50%), Grenache (30%), Carignan (10%), and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%) for a big, full-bodied wine at 14% abv.
Red fruits, cherries, and dates on the nose highlighted by fresh thyme and spicy clove. Tart and spicy on the palate with bright cranberries, baking spice, tobacco, and thyme. Firm structure with a medium long and silky finish.
Reaally a lovely wine. I would love to get my hands on more wines from Chateau Musar!