Château Musar Rouge (Gaston Hochar)

An Iconic Lebanese Classic!

Impressive complexity! Red fruit such as cherries and cranberries, black fruit, tobacco, cocoa, plums, leather, spices, and much more! Meet this legendary wine from Lebanon! The Château Musar Rouge is a blend of cinsault, cabernet sauvignon and carignan, originating from the Lebanese Bekaa ValleyThis exceptional red wine has intense aromas of dried cherries and ripe red fruit. Subtle nuances of smokiness and soft liquorice beautifully round off the whole. Each vintage has a unique character that reflects the essence of the region. Decanting is therefore highly recommended!

Flavor Profile and Culinary Combinations

With its layered flavor of cranberries, raisins, and dates, enriched with blueberries and a subtle smokiness, Château Musar Rouge is a perfect match for a wide range of dishes. The wine calls for dishes that can match its intensity and complexity. Think, for example, of:

• Mediterranean tagines with fragrant spices

• Roasted eggplant with a spicy sauce

• Aged hard cheeses from the Mediterranean region

• Grilled lamb chops with rosemary

• Beef stew with spicy accents

The refined tannins provide an elegant mouthfeel, while the balanced acidity keeps the wine light and refined.

The Story of Château Musar

Château Musar is located in one of the oldest wine regions in the world: the Bekaa Valley. The vineyards lie at an altitude of approximately 1,000 meters, nestled between two mountain ranges, about 30 kilometers from Beirut. The estate spans 180 hectares, where the vines take root in stony soil full of limestone and pebbles. Furthermore, the area benefits from an ideal climate for viticulture: warm, sunny days alternate with cool mountain breezes and cold nights.

Gaston Hochar

Founder Gaston Hochar started the winery in the 1930s and succeeded in building a special wine company. His son Serge brought Château Musar international fame by continuously raising quality to a higher level. It was also Lebanon's first certified organic wine estate, with manual harvest and natural fermentation. The Château Musar Rouge is bottled unfiltered, with minimal addition of sulfites.

Vintage 2018

The 2018 vintage was exceptional for Château Musar. Abundant rainfall in January and February created unique growing conditions, while July brought extreme heat with temperatures exceeding 35 degrees. The Cinsault grapes were harvested on September 4 with a remarkably high sugar concentration. Each grape variety was fermented separately in concrete vats and aged in French Nevers oak. This resulted in a wine that perfectly reflects the unique weather conditions of that year.

Production Process and Character

Château Musar Rouge undergoes a meticulous production process without filtering or fining. After the harvest, the wines age for 12 months in wooden barrels, after which they rest for another three years in the winery's cellars. This long aging process contributes to the deep complexity and unique character of the wine. Château Musar Rouge is a pure reflection of the grapes, the soil, and the climate of the Bekaa Valley. It is therefore ideal for wine lovers who value authenticity and tradition.

Also try another special Lebanese wine from our assortment! Somewhat less well-known, but equally beautifully made and attractively priced: Château Kefraya.