Chateau Musar Jeune Rouge 2022

In 1930, Gaston Hochar founded Chateau Musar, inspired by Lebanon’s 6,000-year winemaking tradition and his travels in Bordeaux. Gaston’s eldest son, Serge Hochar, became Chateau Musar’s winemaker in 1959, and spent 18 years perfecting the formula for Chateau Musar’s Rouge bottling. Today, Serge’s sons, Gaston and Marc, along with their cousins Ronald and Ralph, continue his legacy and run the day-to-day operations.

Chateau Musar’s vineyards are located in Kefraya and Aana, both in the Bekka Valley, as well as a new site in Mehrine. The winery itself is located in Ghazir, just north of Beirut. All the vineyards benefit from 300 days of sunshine and 39–78 inch of rain per year, and the cooling breezes from the Mediterranean Sea and the 2 mountain ranges (Mt Lebanon and Anti Lebanon). The soil is predominately gravel with a limestone base. Ages of the vines range from 5 years to 130 years of age. 

This is a red blend of Cinsault 50%, Syrah 30%, and Cabernet Sauvignon 20%. A bright, vibrant ruby color; the 2022 vintage is bursting with rich fruits. A traditional Musar Jeune nose with dark cherries and berries, it is all at once juicy and fresh with pomegranate, cranberries and herbal scents of violet and thyme. Dense and energetic on the palate with smooth tannins and lively acidity.