Château Musar 2002

ONLINE PRICE. A cult offering, based on the Bordeaux grape varieties, with a very ripe fruit character. The Hochar family, proud producers of Chateau Musar, have battled against the odds for many years to make something unique. The wine definitely shows its hot-climate origins, with an almost baked fruit character.

Chateau Musar was established in 1930 by Gaston Hochar, at the tender age of 20, with extensive history behind the brand, the winery continues to thrive and is overseen by the family’s third generation. Chateau Musar was the first producer in Lebanon, to obtain and achieve official organic status for its vineyards. To date, the vineyard produces a significant number (700,000 to be precise) bottles a year.  The majority of vineyards are located in the Bekaa Valley, positioned between two mountain ranges that run parallel to Lebanon’s Mediterranean coastline. Flanked by snow-covered mountains, and nestled at 1000m (3,000 feet) above sea level, the serenely beautiful Bekaa Valley is blessed with 300 days of sunshine a year, fresh mountain breezes and an average temperature of 25°C, making the vineyard a perfect environment for exceptional wines.

The Chateau Musar 2002 has turned out to be a triumph, even against all odds. A long, rainy and cold winter lasted well into June in Lebanon, while July was mild and August was eventually hot.

This caused the grapes to ripen at a much lower rate, meaning that picking had to be selective as the maturity levels of the grapes varied so dramatically. However, as the fermentation process was slow, the wines have turned out to be much riper and fuller than anticipated, resulting in the 2002 being an interesting and utterly delicious vintage.

“Scarlet in colour with terracotta tones at the rim, it has a complex nose of cigar box spice, warm leather, baked fruits, ripe morello cherries and blackcurrants. The palate has intense flavours of red cherries, dark chocolate, olives, figs and velvet smooth tannins on the very long finish.” Chateau Musar