Hochar Père et Fils Red

	Winery Origin Vintage Style Varietal Price Current Stock	Château Musar Beqaa Valley, Lebanon 2002 Red Cinsault/Cabernet Sauvignon/Carignan/Grenache £18.25
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Story

During the Bristol Wine Fair of 1979, Michael Broadbent MW and Roger Voss ‘discovered’ Lebanese Château Musar by Gaston Hochar, which put the Eastern Mediterranean firmly on the wine-map. Since then Musar has established itself as one of the most written-about wineries in the world. This is partly because of the stories of harvesting amidst gunfire and winemaking under artillery shelling but also because the wines are undeniably unique.

Musar is now run by Gaston’s sons, Serge & Ronald, and Hochar Père et Fils is their creation. A blend of Cinsault and Cabernet Sauvignon, with lesser amounts of Carignan and Grenache, it’s a properly quirky wine. Ask 10 friends and they’ll say it reminds them of Bordeaux, of Burgundy, of Italy, Spain and who-knows where else. The truth is, the wines are simply special, and every wine enthusiast should be able to say they’ve had the chance to try them.

Taste

Our sommeliers initially noted the Burgundian colour, but then discussed the brambly summer-fruits and dried figs, the terroir - backed up by Eastern spices - with a hint of cedar and Christmas pudding. Unfined, unfiltered and possibly unlike anything you’ve come across.

Serve

At 16°.

Match

Certainly the usual grills, roast and casseroles, but why not spend some time with friends putting together an informal Lebanese mezze, and then together be transported to a warmer, more exotic place?

Avoid

Recreating a winemaking scene by breaking out the indoor fireworks; the fire brigade won’t be amused if it ends poorly.

Quote

Truly fascinating wines ... if, by conventional standards, rather unusual.
Jamie Goode
WineAnorak