Château Musar
Hochar Père & Fils Bekaa Valley Red Blend
Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
Ok, not very complex. Simple, drink now, a bit pricey.
Ok, not very complex. Simple, drink now, a bit pricey.
Feb 9th, 2024
Dark garnet purple. Funkily inviting nose of brambly montmorency cherry, dark cranberry, and currant (red & black). Echoed on the medium full palate which adds dark raspberry and a hint of patent leather. All supported by medium plus acidity and wrapped in velvety medium plus tannins. Finish is long and continues the entire palate along with those tannins. Rustic without the earth best describes this affordable and food-friendly Lebanese red. Rustic-inspired (I chose shepherd's pie) or Mediterranean fare will naturally pair. Drink now through 2030.
Dark garnet purple. Funkily inviting nose of brambly montmorency cherry, dark cranberry, and currant (red & black). Echoed on the medium full palate which adds dark raspberry and a hint of patent leather. All supported by medium plus acidity and wrapped in velvety medium plus tannins. Finish is long and continues the entire palate along with those tannins. Rustic without the earth best describes this affordable and food-friendly Lebanese red. Rustic-inspired (I chose shepherd's pie) or Mediterranean fare will naturally pair. Drink now through 2030.
Jan 12th, 2024
Popped and poured; consumed over five hours. No formal notes. Big bottles and Musar are just a lovely pairing with the holidays and this 2016 “Hochar Pere et Fils” didn’t disappoint. Gorgeous old world aromatics with tart black fruits, rhubarb, pomegranate, horse blanket, clove, anise and earth with lovely structure. Balanced. Finish is super dry and earthy. Awesome with food. Last glass was best. Drink now with patience and through 2036.
Popped and poured; consumed over five hours. No formal notes. Big bottles and Musar are just a lovely pairing with the holidays and this 2016 “Hochar Pere et Fils” didn’t disappoint. Gorgeous old world aromatics with tart black fruits, rhubarb, pomegranate, horse blanket, clove, anise and earth with lovely structure. Balanced. Finish is super dry and earthy. Awesome with food. Last glass was best. Drink now with patience and through 2036.
Dec 25th, 2022
Vintage 2000 | It is a lucky day when you find Musar 2000 on the winelist. Restaurant Dôme has a mesmerizing winelist. The color of Italian rooftiles, transparant. Bouquet with cedar, spicyness and red fruit, quite rich. The taste is well balanced, refined elegance. | paired with venison | at restaurant Dôme in Antwerp
Vintage 2000 | It is a lucky day when you find Musar 2000 on the winelist. Restaurant Dôme has a mesmerizing winelist. The color of Italian rooftiles, transparant. Bouquet with cedar, spicyness and red fruit, quite rich. The taste is well balanced, refined elegance. | paired with venison | at restaurant Dôme in Antwerp
Oct 28th, 2022Popped and poured; consumed over three days. The 2017 Musar “Hochar Pere et Fils” presents a deep garnet color with a near opaque core. Moderate staining of the tears. On the nose the wine is funky cherry accompanied by desiccated strawberry, leather, damp earth, espresso, baking chocolate, and some exotic spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the fruit characteristics and non-fruit characteristics whilst adding a licorice, prunes and a woody note reminiscent of a hollowed out log. I have to say…after some time (Day 3), it’s just the slightest bit mousy...showing some volatility too…but well within my acceptable range for it. Finishes long, lasting well over a minute. Savory. A tremendous wine with a very Old World (Ancient) sensibility. The best vintage of “Hochar” I have had to date? To my taste, yes.
Popped and poured; consumed over three days. The 2017 Musar “Hochar Pere et Fils” presents a deep garnet color with a near opaque core. Moderate staining of the tears. On the nose the wine is funky cherry accompanied by desiccated strawberry, leather, damp earth, espresso, baking chocolate, and some exotic spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the fruit characteristics and non-fruit characteristics whilst adding a licorice, prunes and a woody note reminiscent of a hollowed out log. I have to say…after some time (Day 3), it’s just the slightest bit mousy...showing some volatility too…but well within my acceptable range for it. Finishes long, lasting well over a minute. Savory. A tremendous wine with a very Old World (Ancient) sensibility. The best vintage of “Hochar” I have had to date? To my taste, yes.
Jun 1st, 2022
In stark contrast with the rather polished and fruity Margaret River Bordeaux blend, this was all rustic and savoury. Sure under that veneer of volatile acidity and strong leather aromas, lied some nervy black cherries with lovely cedar-spice and licorice, yet in typical Musar manner, most in the group found this difficult to drink. I believe it's the combination of grainy tannic structure plus VA-derived vinegar aromas and umeshu-like twang in this finish that threw most off. I, on the other hand, found it quite compelling.
In stark contrast with the rather polished and fruity Margaret River Bordeaux blend, this was all rustic and savoury. Sure under that veneer of volatile acidity and strong leather aromas, lied some nervy black cherries with lovely cedar-spice and licorice, yet in typical Musar manner, most in the group found this difficult to drink. I believe it's the combination of grainy tannic structure plus VA-derived vinegar aromas and umeshu-like twang in this finish that threw most off. I, on the other hand, found it quite compelling.
Feb 27th, 2022
20 years old and absolutely perfect. Complex knows of every red and black fruit, some red clay and an earthy, mushroomy umami. Shared with the friend I bought it from. Well worth the wait
20 years old and absolutely perfect. Complex knows of every red and black fruit, some red clay and an earthy, mushroomy umami. Shared with the friend I bought it from. Well worth the wait
Jan 27th, 2022
Deep mysterious nose; old cigar tobacco, spice bazaar. So clear and pure on the palate, red fruit, tamarind, a touch of va, just so much complexity and vitality. Salty, briney, kalamata olive juice on finish. Totally resolved tannins… really so different than any other Cab I’ve tried. Mythic elixir.
Deep mysterious nose; old cigar tobacco, spice bazaar. So clear and pure on the palate, red fruit, tamarind, a touch of va, just so much complexity and vitality. Salty, briney, kalamata olive juice on finish. Totally resolved tannins… really so different than any other Cab I’ve tried. Mythic elixir.
Dec 3rd, 2021