Hochar Pere et Fils Red Blend

It was in 1930 that Gaston Hochar, of Lebanon's Chateau Musar, planted his first vineyards, after returning from Bordeaux. Major Ronald Barton (of Chateau Langoa-Barton), who was stationed in Lebanon during World War II, befriended Gaston Hochar, strengthening links with Bordeaux and influencing the Musar style.

Gaston's first son, Serge, became Chateau Musars winemaker in 1959, while completing his winemaking studies at the University of Oenology in Bordeaux, under the tutorage of Jean Riberau and Emile Peynaud. 3 years later, Ronald Hochar (Gaston's second son) takes over the financial and marketing aspects of the winery.

It wasn't until 1977 that Serge Hochar finalised the formula for Chateau Musar Reds. 2 years later, Michael Broadbent discovers' Chateau Musar at the Bristol Wine Fair, hailing the 1967 vintage as the "Find of the Fair". Chateau Musar opens its UK Company to develop its sales into the UK market and thereafter into Europe.

In 1984, Decanter magazine nominates Serge Hochar as their first Man of the Year', recognising his dedication to producing superb wines throughout Lebanon's Civil War (1975-1990).

The family tradition continued in 1994 when Gaston Hochar, Serge's son joins the winery, to later become its managing director and again in 2003 when Ralph Hochar, Ronald's son joins the UK office in charge of sales in the on-trade.

2006 saw Chateau Musar obtains its first official, Organic certification for some of its vineyards.

Most recently in 2010, Serge Hochar receives the lifetime achievement award from the German magazine Der FeinSchmeker. Also Marc Hochar, Serge's second son, joins his brother Gaston to help run and expand the winery's activities.

The Chateau Musar' range of wines are this houses most famous range of wines. These are their Grands Vins', each with their unique signature and imprint in the world of wine. Since 1930, every aspect of production, grape sourcing, fermentation, oak-ageing and bottle maturation, has been trialled to achieve the ultimate expression of Musar's specific terroirs' (site-specific interactions of soil, vine, climate and time).

Cinsault, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon

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.

Fortunately after having had various extreme climatic conditions in previous years, 2021 was a return to the "good old days" when everything went like clockwork. Pruning and ploughing began in December 2020, followed by a snowy, rainy January and February. More rain fell in March and although it was cold at the start of April, it warmed up by the middle of the month. Summer of 2021 was milder than usual with the hottest month being July which was perfect for ripening and changing the colour of our red varieties. Cabernet Sauvignon was the first to be harvested on the 27th August, showing its' power with mint and coffee characteristics, Grenache as usual with its' rose aroma but without a single gram of residual sugar, followed on the 2nd September followed by high quality Cinsault on the 4th.

Vinification

Cinsault 50%, Grenache 40%, Cabernet Sauvignon 10%

The grapes fermented at temperatures of 27-29 Ëš C with 15 to 20 days maceration in cement vats, followed by 6 months in French Nevers oak barrels. It was blended in the Autumn of 2022 and bottled during the Summer of 2023.

Five years in the making, Hochar Père et Fils is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from a single vineyard in the Western Bekaa Valley, near the village of Aana. It is characterised by deep, gravelly soil over a limestone base and 1,000m above sea level. Vines here have an average age of 30 years old, yields are low, 20-30 hectolitres per hectare, which results in concentrated full flavoured wine.


Dark ruby in colour with cherry fruit, sweet spices and a smokiness on the nose. Cherries and blackcurrant follow through to the palate with a hint of rose (from the Grenache of this year). It is an elegant vintage with a long future ahead, from a year with no climatic extremes – from winter pruning to the September harvest.