Chateau Musar Red 2003
Chateau Musar Red
Region: Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
Vintage: 2003
Bottle size: 75cl
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan and Cinsault
ABV: 14%
A rich, warm colour, now paling towards the rim, with a 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.
It was established in 1930 by Gaston Hochar, who was inspired by Lebanon’s 6,000-year history of winemaking and his own travels to Bordeaux. The Hochar family, who are of French descent, arrived in Lebanon during the 12thCentury as knights of the crusades and have remained there ever since. Their association with wine began in the 1920’s when France was assigned the League of Nations mandate for Syria, which at the time included Lebanon. During this time Gaston Hochar started producing his ‘wines with noblesse’ which were so good that they greatly impressed senior officers in the French army. Later, Major Ronald Barton, of Château Langoa-Barton, who was stationed in Lebanon during World War II, became a great friend of Gaston Hochar, cementing the links between Chateau Musar and Bordeaux that remain to this day.