Chateau Musar back to 1970, with family member Marc Hochar – Thursday 6th November

Lebanon’s Chateau Musar is one of the world’s most singular wineries – a truly legendary name making uncompromising, fascinating wines, often against the odds.

Its history dates back to 1930, when Gaston Hochar planted his first vines in the Bekaa Valley following a holiday to Bordeaux. His son Serge went further, studying in Bordeaux and, on his return, encouraging his father to step aside so that he could make the wine his way. He went on to lead the property for over half a century, along the way becoming the first inductee to Decanter Magazine’s Hall of Fame, in 1984.

That award recognised Hochar’s commitment to continued production during Lebanon’s Civil War (1975-1990). Serge would harvest the grapes when the shelling paused, while their transit to the winery, on the other side of Beirut, took as long as avoiding militia check-points permitted (sometimes days). The struggle has been lent added resonance in recent years, when Lebanon has again found itself in the midst of conflict.

Musar’s signature red is an unusual blend of old-vine, low-yielding Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Carignan, fermented in concrete, aged in oak for two years, then blended before returning to vat and, after bottling, being aged for another five years before release. The whole approach is low-interventionist and the result truly unique – and very long-lived.

Alongside six vintages of the red, we will try some of Musar’s other wines, including the white, made in an oxidative fashion from ancient Lebanese grape varieties, which is just as unusual and ageworthy as the red. The relatively recent Musar Jeune range is the polar opposite – unoaked, fresh-tasting and ready to drink on release.

After Serge’s sad passing a decade ago, today his sons Marc and Gaston are the third-generation leaders of the estate. We are thrilled to welcome Marc to the Club for what is sure to be a fascinating evening.

The wines we will be tasting:
2022 Musar Jeune White (welcome wine)
2018 Chateau Musar White
2010 Chateau Musar White
2020 Chateau Musar Rosé
2018 Chateau Musar red
2017 Chateau Musar red
2010 Chateau Musar red
2001 Chateau Musar red
1999 Chateau Musar red
1970 Chateau Musar red

Thursday 6th November
St James’s Room
18:30 – Welcome reception
19:00 – Masterclass starts
20:30 – Masterclass ends

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