Chateau Musar Jeune Red is a vibrant, fruit-forward red wine that reflects the Mediterranean climate of Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley.
The winery was founded by Gaston Hochar in 1930, and the winery has been under the management of the family ever since. In the 1930s and 1940s, when Lebanon was under French control, important customers of the winery were local French army soldiers stationed in Lebanon. A French officer named Ronald Barton - after whom Gaston named his second son - was also stationed here and had a great influence on the development of Chateau Musar's wines, as Barton was connected to the Château Langoa-Barton and Château Léoville Barton wineries in Bordeaux. Before the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990), Chateau Musar wines were mostly sold to domestic markets, but the war changed that. Gaston Hochar's son Ronald Hochar helped sell the wine abroad, and from the late 1970s and early 1980s the wine became more popular abroad. The international discovery of Musar took place at the 1979 Bristol Wine Fair, when auctioneer and taster Michael Broadbent and journalist Roger Voss chose the 1967 Musar as the "discovery of the fair". Despite the war in Lebanon and frequent tensions, wine was made at the Château every year except for the 1976 vintage, where employees sometimes worked in high-risk conditions. Although it is sometimes compared to Bordeaux wine, Burgundy wine or Rhone wine, it is most often claimed that Musar wine is unique.
Made from a blend of Syrah, Cinsault, and Cabernet Sauvignon, it is unoaked to preserve its fresh primary fruit flavors. The nose bursts with red berries, spices, and floral notes, while the palate delivers juicy cherry, raspberry, and a hint of black pepper. Light-bodied yet full of character, it offers bright acidity and silky tannins. A perfect pairing for grilled meats, spicy dishes, or simply enjoying on a relaxed evening.
