voCabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Carignan
75cl * Vegan, Organic & Sustainable * 14.0% ABV * Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
Chateau Musar is undoubtedly one of the world’s most iconic wineries. Since its founding in 1930 by Gaston Hochar, the family have acquired a reputation for producing outstanding wines inspired by Lebanon’s 6,000-year winemaking heritage. It was the late Serge Hochar, Gaston's son, who perfected the formula for Chateau Musar’s Red blends and helped build their icon status. He was the first person to be awarded the title of Decanter Magazine’s ‘Man of the Year’ in 1984.
Chateau Musar Red is an equal blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan and Cinsault. The 2009 vintage was a memorable year in the Bekaa valley; a warm summer brought on an early harvest of most of the red grapes, while September rains lent a juicier character to the remaining fruit, which showed a fuller-bodied structure and fragrant nose. The blending took place three years later in 2012, and the wines spent a year in French oak before its release in the Spring of 2016.
The Cabernet Sauvignon did exceptionally well this year, lending the vintage a deep scarlet colour and a nose of blackberries and dark chocolate. The palate is brimming with decadent fruits and spices: blackcurrants, cherries, damsons and figs with notes of cinnamon and mint. There is also a smoky, earthy character to the wine, alongside well-integrated tannins, good acidity, and a long, dry finish.
After careful decanting, the wine should be allowed to breathe for at least a few hours, though ideally the entire day, and served at 18°C with roast meats, grilled lamb, casseroles, game, and mature cheeses.
'There are violets and ripe red berry fruits from the Cinsault; spice, liquorice and burly backbone from Carignan, blackcurrant, blackberry and silky elegance from Cabernet Sauvignon'. Jonathan Ray, The Spectator Magazine