2016 Chateau Musar Bekaa Valley Rouge Library Collection
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | Lebanon |
| Region | |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2016 |
| Grape | |
| Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (14%) |
| Drink window | 2021 - 2035 |
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Description
EN PRIMEUR - DELIVERY EARLY SEPTEMBER 2025 - Library Stock Chateau Musar - Exclusive offer of older years Chateau Musar Red. Unique and very limited. From the cellars of Chateau Musar.
Chateau Musar is considered one of the most special wine estates in the world. On the one hand, it is the location, the Lebanese Bekaa Valley, on the other hand, they still use a completely traditional method. The vineyards are located on siliceous limestone-clay soils at an altitude of around 1000 metres. The long, warm summers guarantee excellent ripening of the grapes. Owner Serge Hochar, who was previously named Winemaker of the Year by the English magazine Decanter Magazine, also received his wine training in France.
Expectations for the 2016 harvest were clearly influenced by thoughts of the bad weather of 2015. Nothing could be further from the truth. December 2015 started off positively with 130mm of rain. This was followed by 360mm in January accompanied by lots of snow, providing the soils with much needed moisture and nutrients. February and March proved cold and rainy with a further 300mm of rain which was greatly welcomed by the dry terrain. April was warm with an average night temperature of plus 5 degrees Celsius instead of the minus 5 of the previous year. May brought 45mm of rain, enough to stimulate the vines and from that moment on we started to have higher expectations for this year’s harvest. A sunny June followed with low humidity and in July we enjoyed an average temperature of 34 degrees for the whole month. The early ripening meant that the harvest could start much earlier than in all previous years! Cabernet Sauvignon was the first to be harvested on August 16th from silty soils that encouraged early ripening. Cinsault followed on September 2nd with Carignan on September 7th.
The blend is made up of equal parts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Carignan. Each variety was fermented with natural yeasts in concrete vats, then aged for 12 months in French oak barrels before being blended in February 2019 and bottled without fining or filtration during the summer months of July and August. Fermentation was smooth, with an average temperature between 27 and 29 in concrete vats. After the separate fermentations, the Cabernet was found to be excellent in quality, with great depth of fruit and concentration. Cinsault was elegant and silky with an explosion of aromas. As usual, Carignan showed its quality, a result of the warm conditions which saw lower yields of grapes but with greater concentration. This is an exceptional grape that is truly typical of the Bekaa terroir. The wine will be released in NL only in late spring 2022
The 2016 Musar has a deep red colour, with aromas of sweet cherries, plums and dried fruits together with a subtle spice element and a hint of tobacco. The wine has a soft, round mouthfeel with lots of flavour and fruit concentration - caramel, mocha, ripe red fruits supported by soft, velvety tannins and a spicy finish. Delicious now but as with all Musars this wine also has great ageing potential.
FACT: Under the tab: Attachment you will find the official factsheet of this wine. We will automatically send you this digitally when you order this wine
Specifications
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | Lebanon |
| Region | Bekaa-vallei |
| Winery | Chateau Musar |
| Grape | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2016 |
| Drinking as of | 2021 |
| Drinking till | 2035 |
| Alcohol % | 14 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Promotion | En Primeur, On Sale |
| Tasting Profiles | Aards, Complex, Donker fruit, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Tannines, Vol |
| Drink moments | Indruk maken, Lekker luxe, Open haard |
Wijnhuis
Winemaking in Lebanon is far from a modern phenomenon. In the Beqaa Valley, evidence of wine production dates back to the Bronze Age, with the Phoenicians being among the earliest to cultivate vineyards. The famous Bacchus Temple in Baalbek also stands as a testament to the Roman's involvement in winemaking in the region.
Château Musar: a legacy of winemaking in Lebanon
The Beqaa Valley is an ideal location for grape cultivation. The valley is about eight kilometers wide and situated between two mountain ranges at an elevation of approximately 1,000 meters. This high altitude creates a unique microclimate where the intense heat of the day is offset by cool nights, allowing the grapes to retain their fruity aromas. Additionally, meltwater from the mountains ensures a reliable water supply, while the soil—comprising loam, pebbles, and gray limestone—provides a healthy environment for the vines.
Despite the ongoing conflict in the region, winemaking has persisted. The only exceptions were during the years 1976 and 1984, when war prevented wine production. Grapes had to be transported nearly 100 kilometers through conflict zones to reach the winery, located just north of Beirut.
The revival of Lebanese winemaking because of Château Musar
After a long hiatus due to Islamic rule, which imposed a ban on alcohol production for over a thousand years, winemaking in Lebanon was revived by Jesuit priests in 1857. In 1930, Gaston Hochar founded Château Musar during the French mandate period. He sourced grapes from the Beqaa Valley and established a winery and cellar on the western slopes of Mount Lebanon, in Ghazir, just north of Beirut. Hochar received guidance from French professors in setting up his winery.
The Influence of Serge Hochar
Gaston Hochar's son, Serge, played a pivotal role in bringing Château Musar to global recognition. After training at Château Langoa-Barton in Bordeaux, Serge Hochar developed his own philosophy of winemaking. He favored a unique blend, combining the firm and robust structure of Cabernet Sauvignon with the fruit-forward character of Rhône varietals such as Carignan and Cinsault—a blend rarely seen elsewhere.
Serge Hochar was committed to natural winemaking techniques, using wild yeasts, avoiding fining and filtering, and famously describing his wines as "wines without makeup." The red wines from Château Musar are aged for an average of 12 months in French oak barrels that are not toasted, followed by several years of cellar aging. The final blend is determined purely by taste, with each vintage offering distinct characteristics.
The unique style of Château Musar wines
The red Château Musar is an exceptional and traditional wine, often considered old-fashioned in style. Its color is never truly dark, usually exhibiting a brownish hue, with notes of spices and a subtle herbal quality in both aroma and flavor. These wines have remarkable aging potential, with Serge Hochar recommending they be enjoyed at their peak after 15 years. Each vintage reflects its own personality, and the wines are renowned for their distinctive character and ability to age gracefully.
Château Musar continues to be celebrated worldwide for its commitment to tradition and unique winemaking approach.
EN PRIMEUR - DELIVERY EARLY SEPTEMBER 2025 - Library Stock Chateau Musar - Exclusive offer of older years Chateau Musar Red. Unique and very limited. From the cellars of Chateau Musar.
Chateau Musar is considered one of the most special wine estates in the world. On the one hand, it is the location, the Lebanese Bekaa Valley, on the other hand, they still use a completely traditional method. The vineyards are located on siliceous limestone-clay soils at an altitude of around 1000 metres. The long, warm summers guarantee excellent ripening of the grapes. Owner Serge Hochar, who was previously named Winemaker of the Year by the English magazine Decanter Magazine, also received his wine training in France.
Expectations for the 2016 harvest were clearly influenced by thoughts of the bad weather of 2015. Nothing could be further from the truth. December 2015 started off positively with 130mm of rain. This was followed by 360mm in January accompanied by lots of snow, providing the soils with much needed moisture and nutrients. February and March proved cold and rainy with a further 300mm of rain which was greatly welcomed by the dry terrain. April was warm with an average night temperature of plus 5 degrees Celsius instead of the minus 5 of the previous year. May brought 45mm of rain, enough to stimulate the vines and from that moment on we started to have higher expectations for this year’s harvest. A sunny June followed with low humidity and in July we enjoyed an average temperature of 34 degrees for the whole month. The early ripening meant that the harvest could start much earlier than in all previous years! Cabernet Sauvignon was the first to be harvested on August 16th from silty soils that encouraged early ripening. Cinsault followed on September 2nd with Carignan on September 7th.
The blend is made up of equal parts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Carignan. Each variety was fermented with natural yeasts in concrete vats, then aged for 12 months in French oak barrels before being blended in February 2019 and bottled without fining or filtration during the summer months of July and August. Fermentation was smooth, with an average temperature between 27 and 29 in concrete vats. After the separate fermentations, the Cabernet was found to be excellent in quality, with great depth of fruit and concentration. Cinsault was elegant and silky with an explosion of aromas. As usual, Carignan showed its quality, a result of the warm conditions which saw lower yields of grapes but with greater concentration. This is an exceptional grape that is truly typical of the Bekaa terroir. The wine will be released in NL only in late spring 2022
The 2016 Musar has a deep red colour, with aromas of sweet cherries, plums and dried fruits together with a subtle spice element and a hint of tobacco. The wine has a soft, round mouthfeel with lots of flavour and fruit concentration - caramel, mocha, ripe red fruits supported by soft, velvety tannins and a spicy finish. Delicious now but as with all Musars this wine also has great ageing potential.
FACT: Under the tab: Attachment you will find the official factsheet of this wine. We will automatically send you this digitally when you order this wine
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | Lebanon |
| Region | Bekaa-vallei |
| Winery | Chateau Musar |
| Grape | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2016 |
| Drinking as of | 2021 |
| Drinking till | 2035 |
| Alcohol % | 14 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Promotion | En Primeur, On Sale |
| Tasting Profiles | Aards, Complex, Donker fruit, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Tannines, Vol |
| Drink moments | Indruk maken, Lekker luxe, Open haard |
Winemaking in Lebanon is far from a modern phenomenon. In the Beqaa Valley, evidence of wine production dates back to the Bronze Age, with the Phoenicians being among the earliest to cultivate vineyards. The famous Bacchus Temple in Baalbek also stands as a testament to the Roman's involvement in winemaking in the region.
Château Musar: a legacy of winemaking in Lebanon
The Beqaa Valley is an ideal location for grape cultivation. The valley is about eight kilometers wide and situated between two mountain ranges at an elevation of approximately 1,000 meters. This high altitude creates a unique microclimate where the intense heat of the day is offset by cool nights, allowing the grapes to retain their fruity aromas. Additionally, meltwater from the mountains ensures a reliable water supply, while the soil—comprising loam, pebbles, and gray limestone—provides a healthy environment for the vines.
Despite the ongoing conflict in the region, winemaking has persisted. The only exceptions were during the years 1976 and 1984, when war prevented wine production. Grapes had to be transported nearly 100 kilometers through conflict zones to reach the winery, located just north of Beirut.
The revival of Lebanese winemaking because of Château Musar
After a long hiatus due to Islamic rule, which imposed a ban on alcohol production for over a thousand years, winemaking in Lebanon was revived by Jesuit priests in 1857. In 1930, Gaston Hochar founded Château Musar during the French mandate period. He sourced grapes from the Beqaa Valley and established a winery and cellar on the western slopes of Mount Lebanon, in Ghazir, just north of Beirut. Hochar received guidance from French professors in setting up his winery.
The Influence of Serge Hochar
Gaston Hochar's son, Serge, played a pivotal role in bringing Château Musar to global recognition. After training at Château Langoa-Barton in Bordeaux, Serge Hochar developed his own philosophy of winemaking. He favored a unique blend, combining the firm and robust structure of Cabernet Sauvignon with the fruit-forward character of Rhône varietals such as Carignan and Cinsault—a blend rarely seen elsewhere.
Serge Hochar was committed to natural winemaking techniques, using wild yeasts, avoiding fining and filtering, and famously describing his wines as "wines without makeup." The red wines from Château Musar are aged for an average of 12 months in French oak barrels that are not toasted, followed by several years of cellar aging. The final blend is determined purely by taste, with each vintage offering distinct characteristics.
The unique style of Château Musar wines
The red Château Musar is an exceptional and traditional wine, often considered old-fashioned in style. Its color is never truly dark, usually exhibiting a brownish hue, with notes of spices and a subtle herbal quality in both aroma and flavor. These wines have remarkable aging potential, with Serge Hochar recommending they be enjoyed at their peak after 15 years. Each vintage reflects its own personality, and the wines are renowned for their distinctive character and ability to age gracefully.
Château Musar continues to be celebrated worldwide for its commitment to tradition and unique winemaking approach.