Chateau Musar "Hochar Pere et Fils" Rouge 2021
(Bekaa Valley, Lebanon) - [WE 95] [DM 92]

About the Wine:
Hochar Père et Fils Red has often been described as the ‘second’ wine of Chateau Musar, as its style does bear some resemblance to the flagship wine but the comparison stops there as its vineyards, blend and ageing places are very different.

Hochar Pere et Fils is sourced from a single vineyard in the Western Bekaa Valley, near the village of Aana, characterised by deep, gravelly soil over a limestone base. Yields are low, 20-25 hectolitres per hectare, which results in concentrated full flavoured juice.

Harvest: Record rainfall in the winter in our vineyards (exceeding 1000mm against a normal average of 400 to 600mm) was a welcome relief this year after several years of drought. Everything was later as a result – flowering, opening of the buds, even the harvest started 15 days late but it seems that rainy years enhance fermentation as 2019 was a perfect year for the reds.

Grapes Varietals: Cinsault 50%, Grenache 35%, Cabernet Sauvignon 15%

Alcohol: 13.5%

Winemaking:
The grapes fermented at temperatures ranging between 27-29˚C with 15 to 20 days maceration in cement vats, followed by 6 months in French Nevers oak barrels.

Ratings & Reviews

95 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
A complex array of cherry, blackberry, clove, and smoky aromas and flavors headline this blend of Cinsault, Grenache, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes all come from the gravelly limestone soils of a single vineyard in Lebanon’s Western Bekaa Valley. The wine drinks beautifully today but will continue to shine for years.

92 Points - Decanter:
Bramble berry and leafy, oaky nose; bright black fruit and warm cinnamon spice on the palate, with raisined development giving complexity and length. Layered, balanced and with good length.