Hochar Père et Fils has been described as Château Musar's "second" wine, and it bears some resemblance to the "Grand Vin": rich, spicy, and deeply fruity, with a soft quality imparted by extended oak and bottle aging. Since its launch in the late 1980s, it has been sourced from a single vineyard in the Bekaa Valley, planted in the late 1940s. When young, the wines are robust and aromatic, with notes of baked plums, warm earth, leather, thyme, and dark chocolate. With age, they become tawnier and more vibrant.
The grape blend creates a character comparable to a Rhône wine, with all its soft and spicy notes. The grapes are carefully harvested and subject to strict quality control to ensure that only the very best grapes reach the bottle. This red wine has been aged for nine months in oak barrels from Nevers, giving the Hochar the necessary complexity and flavors. Before being released, it is aged for another three months in the winery's cellars.
The Hochar has a bright ruby red color—red fruit on the nose; bittersweet cherries, sloes, and a hint of dark chocolate. Classic bright red fruit flavors and sweet, spicy notes follow on the palate. The tannins are soft, the acidity fresh and very long. It will age well in cellars and will keep for years. Try it with roasted pork and garlic, fried chicken à la Bordelaise (with potatoes and fried onion rings), or an artichoke and wild mushroom salad.
