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Flag Lebanon Wines from Lebanon

Bekaa Valley
Bekaa Valley

Chateau Musar. Bekaa Valley - The Famous Lebanese Vineyard

Serge Hochar's father established a winery in the castle of Mzar north of Beirut in the Bekaa Valley in 1930. Serge gained much experience at Chateau Leoville Barton, so it is not surprising, that the red wine of Chateau Musar resembles a fine Bordeaux. It is blended from various proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsaut and Syrah planted on the slopes of the Bekaa Valley 30 miles further east and is capable of many years bottle maturation.

Chateau Musar Newsletter, Summer 2009 (pdf)

  • Chateau Musar Red 2002 - now ready after 7 years careful cellaring,
  • 50 years as The Maker: Serge Hochar's London masterclasses (Book at RI-wine),
  • Chateau Musar White 2003 - latest release of this unique wine from ancient, ungrafted vines,
  • Ronald Hochar - celebrating Musar's 'eminence grise' [read more (pdf)...]

Grape Varieties

  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Carignan
  • Chardonay
  • Chasselas
  • Cinsaut
  • Clairette
  • Gamay
  • Grenache
  • Muscat
  • Obaideh
  • Pinot Noir
  • Pinot Noir
  • Riesling
  • Semillon
  • Syrah
  • Ugni Blanc

Chateau Musar Current Vintages, 2003 White just released - Chateau Musar Red 2002, now ready after 7 years cellaring

 

Wine Vinatges size
Musar Cuvee 2002 / 03 75cl, 37.5cl
Hochard Pere et Fils 2002 75 cl
Château Musar Rose Wines 2004 75 cl
Château Musar White Wines 2001 75 cl
Chateau Musar Red Wines 1999, 1998, 1997, 1.5 Ltr., 75 cl, 37.5 cl
Chateau Musar Red Wine 1956 - 1996 75 cl, 37.5 cl
Chateau Musar
Chateau Musar

Chateau Musar. Wine Testing Note

Vintage 1997

available in Bottle and Magnum

A fairly normal winter followed by a fresh spring with no hail or frost and then a mild summer with a very cloudy and fresh August followed by a sunny September. These perfect conditions allowed grapes to mature slowly and surely at a pace rarely.

The harvest started on the 15th of September and ended on the 11th of October for the reds. However harvesting had to stop for about 4 days starting on the 30th of September because of rain. It was the slowest and best fermentation they had at Chateau Musard and by the 30th of September 805 of the harvest was in the cellar.

The wines were tasted on the 18th of November. Almost all malolactics were finished and wines looked ready for drinking. Very beautiful wines and even the whites were as good as the reds. All wines are big and very perfectly balanced whatever the cepage. Cabernet sauvignon, Carignan, Cinsault, Merwah and Obaideh.

Definitely a Vintage to follow very closely.

Mr. Serge Husar – November 1997: A rich, warm deep cherry red with smoky nose full of spices and fruits. On the palate there are mixed berry fruits – cherries, redcurrants, pomegranates and Christmas spices of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Good acidity with good tannin levels results in a wine of classic structure with long ageing potential.

“ The Chateau Musar 1997 will be familiar to all devoters of the deep, dark, rich, fleshy, fruity - aptly - cedary wine and it’s scrumptious. “

Simon Hoggart – The Spectator Febr. 2004.

“Redcurrant scents, a clean, fresh, intense flavour, more drily curranty than is usual for Musar”

Andrew Jefford – Decanter Magazine Jan. 2004.

Limited Vintages Chateau Musar

Wine Vinatges size
Chateau Musar White
1991 - 2000
75 cl
Chateau Musar Red
1993 - 1996
75 cl, 37.5 cl
1991 & 1993
150 cl, 75 cl
1987
150cl
1986
150 cl, 75 cl
1985
150 cl
1983
150 cl
1982
150 cl
1981
75 cl
1980
150 cl, 75 cl, 37.5 cl
1979
75 cl, 37.5 cl
1978
75 cl, 37.5 cl
1977
75 cl, 37.5 cl
1975
75 cl, 37.5 cl
1972
37.5 cl
1970
75 cl
1969
75 cl
1967
75 cl
1966
75 cl
1961
75 cl, 37.5 cl
1960
75 cl
1959
75 cl
1956
75 cl


Older Vintages on White Wines are available, please ask for details