CH.MUSAR BEKAA VALLEY 2016 750ml

A PRECIOUS WINE

Château Musar, established in 1930 by Gaston Hochar, is Lebanon's most renowned winery, located in Ghazir, north of Beirut. Its vineyards, situated in the Bekaa Valley, benefit from a Mediterranean climate, 300 days of sunshine, and altitudes over 900 meters. Managed by the Hochar family, the winery emphasizes organic, minimal-intervention practices, earning organic certification. Despite regional conflicts, including the 1975–1990 Lebanese Civil War, Château Musar has consistently produced exceptional wines. Under Serge Hochar’s leadership from 1959, it gained international acclaim, notably at the 1979 Bristol Wine Fair, blending tradition with innovation to create unique, age-worthy wines celebrated globally.
The 2016 Château Musar Red is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, and Cinsault from low-yielding, mature bushvines (average age: 40 years) in the Bekaa Valley’s gravelly limestone soils. Grapes undergo lengthy fermentation in cement vats below 30°C, followed by one year in French Nevers oak barrels. Blended two years post-harvest, the wine matures in cement tanks for another year and is bottled after four years. Released seven years after harvest, it’s unfiltered and unfined, yielding 15–35 hl/ha. Alcohol content is approximately 14%. The 2016 vintage reflects a concentrated, balanced profile with a deep ruby color and high viscosity.

TASTING NOTE:

The 2016 Château Musar displays a deep ruby hue with high viscosity. Its nose offers vibrant red cherries, plums, carob, and figs, accented by eastern spices. On the palate, kirsch and blackcurrant dominate, with chocolate and velvety tannins providing depth. The finish is long, with concentrated fruit and a spicy warmth. This vintage balances elegance and intensity, showing Bordeaux-like structure with Lebanese character. It’s approachable now but capable of aging for decades, transitioning from youthful fruit to complex, Burgundian notes. Decant for at least two hours to reveal its layered profile of blackberry, cassis, and subtle smokiness.