Chateau Musar Gaston Hochar 75 cl

Joe's Tasting Note: "It’s not the unique Gaston Hochar blend that makes this special, or even coming from the Bekaa Valley. It’s Musar’s unique smokey, pungent twist on the cassis and currants of Cabernet; the added cigar box and prune aromas. One of the world’s great wines, thriving in a sometime war zone. The Hochar family’s philosophy of respect for the environment means that the 180 hectares of Musar vineyards are managed with minimal human interference and all the wines are made as naturally. The wine is shows impressive aromas of blueberries, ripe blackberries, cherries and plum fruitcake. The palate is initially soft and round with primary fruits of blackberry, plum, red cherries and pomegranate with some chocolaty spicy notes in the background. It opens up with mouth filling berry fruit and delicious notes of concentrated dark fruits and molasses. It really begins to impress in the mid palate where it holds its’ intensity and structure effortlessly all the way to the end. The alcohol is well integrated with elegant but youthful tannins - it is a well-balanced wine with good underpinning acidity and a compelling structure. Food Pairing Suggestions: The wine should be allowed to breathe for several hours and served at 18°C with roasts, grills (especially lamb), casseroles, game, and mature cheeses.