The 1980 vintage is tawny/orange in colour, with a bouquet of leather, cigar smoke and mature fruit, leading to a palate of earthy spice, plum, blackcurrant and cherries, with notes of coffee and cream on the long, smooth finish. These wines mature exceptionally well, and the 1980 vintage is an excellent example of this - a wonderful wine.

We would serve the Chateau Musar 1980 with casseroles, game, stew and cheeses.

History of Chateau Musar

Lebanese viticulture was introduced 6000 years ago by the Phoenicians who whilst trading their wines throughout the Mediterranean planted vines in southern Europe. In antiquity, wine was exported from Byblos, Tyre and Saida to Egypt, with references found in countless Egyptian inscriptions and paintings. The Bible references the wine of Canaan, located today in southern Lebanon. According one reference, the Hebrews brought home a bunch of grapes so big that it took the strength of two men to carry it.

The wine of Canaan had a reputation such that Egyptians reported it to be "as abundant as flowing water" and this is believed to have inspired the Romans to choose Baalbek in the Bekaa Valley as the site of one of their largest temples. Gaston Hochar created Château Musar in 1930 in the cellars of the 17^th century 'Mzar' castle in Ghazir, overlooking the Mediterranean sea, using his experience gained from time spent in the vineyards of France.  Gaston was inspired by an encounter with renowned viticulturist Ronald Barton whilst stationed in Lebanon during the Second World War. In 1959, the eldest son, Serge, entered the business, and became the man behind this exceptional wine.

The vineyards of Château Musar are located at an altitiude of 1,000 meters in the Bekaa Valley, sheltered by the surrounding mountains which run parallel to the Mediterranean coast. The 180 hectares produces a limited yield of about 35 hl/ha assisting the intensity of this great wine. The Bekaa Valley is almost frost and disease free, with long mild summers, rainy winters (500mm rainfall annually), and an average temperature of 25 degrees Celsius perfect for growing classic Chateau Musar vintages.

The red Lebanese wines are made from a blend of different grape varieties, principally Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Carignan. The Bekaa valley provides a gravely soil with a limestone base. The composition of the Chateau Musar Red varies from one year to the next, giving it a different character and identity each vintage.