Hochar Père et Fils Red is often described as the “second wine” of Château Musar, and while there is a clear family resemblance, it is very much a wine with its own identity. The style echoes Musar’s signature balance of fruit, spice and savoury complexity, but the similarities end there. Different vineyards, a distinct blend and separate ageing regimes give Hochar a character that is more immediately approachable, while still retaining the depth and individuality that defines the Musar philosophy.

Hochar Père et Fils, Producer

Hochar Père et Fils is produced by the Hochar family, the custodians behind the iconic Château Musar, one of Lebanon’s most internationally respected wine estates. Founded in 1930 by Gaston Hochar, Château Musar has become synonymous with longevity, individuality and a fiercely independent approach to winemaking. Today, the estate is led by the next generation of the Hochar family, who continue to uphold the same principles of low-intervention winemaking, respect for terroir and patience in release. Hochar Père et Fils reflects this philosophy in a more approachable expression, crafted with the same care and integrity as Château Musar’s flagship wines, but designed to be enjoyed earlier while still offering depth, character and the unmistakable Musar signature.

Hochar Père et Fils, Winemaking

Four years in the making, Hochar Père et Fils Red is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from a single vineyard near the village of Aana in the Bekaa Valley. The site is characterised by deep soils over limestone, contributing both structure and freshness to the finished wine. The bush vines average around 30 years of age and are naturally low-yielding, producing just 20–30 hectolitres per hectare. These mature vines give concentrated fruit with aromatic lift and a distinctive sense of place.

Each varietal component is fermented separately in cement vats, preserving purity of fruit and allowing gentle, controlled extraction. The wines are then aged for six to nine months in French oak barrels from the forest of Nevers before blending. As with Château Musar Red, the final blend is assembled to reflect the character of the individual vintage rather than a fixed recipe. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, Hochar Père et Fils Red is matured for several years in bottle before release, emerging four years after the harvest with both harmony and complexity already in place.

Hochar Père et Fils, Tasting notes

Deep burgundy in colour with transparent layers, showing the influence of Grenache in the blend. The nose is rich and expressive, offering ripe red cherry alongside notes of plum, dates, mulberry and dried tea leaves. On the palate, the wine is distinctly Mediterranean in character, with sweet, finely textured tannins and warming spice. With time, it gains further refinement and nuance, often tasting even better on the second day after opening. The red wines of 2020 are marked by concentration and balance, and Hochar Père et Fils Red is a fine expression of that vintage’s depth and flavour.

Food pairing suggestion: Grilled aubergine with pomegranate molasses, yoghurt and toasted pine nuts