Chateau Musar, White 2017
Product Information
Country Lebanon
Region Bekka Valley
Grape Variety Obaideh & Merwah
Vintage 2017
ABV 11.5%
The 2017 vintage of Chateau Musar White is a remarkable expression of Lebanese terroir, crafted from the Obaideh (60%) and Merwah (40%) grape varietals grown on the fertile slopes of Mount Lebanon in the Bekaa Valley. This vintage benefitted from a unique climate, starting with abundant rainfall and snowfall early in the year, followed by a mild spring with slightly delayed bud break. Despite a late April frost affecting the vines, the 2017 harvest yielded wines with excellent structure, power, and complexity — a testament to minimal intervention winemaking and natural vinification methods.
The Obaideh grapes were harvested early on September 19th, followed by Merwah on September 27th. Both varietals underwent 9 months of fermentation in new French Nevers oak barrels, enriching the wine with intense aromas and a complex flavour profile. The blend was cold stabilized and bottled in summer 2018, with the vintage officially released in spring 2023.
Tasting Notes:
This pale lemon-coloured wine reveals vibrant aromas of fresh apples, hay, vanilla, and grapefruit citrus, enhanced by delicate orange blossom notes. On the palate, flavours of sweet basil, ripe peach, and caramelized tarte tatin unfold gracefully, promising further development with age. The elegant Obaideh and the more wild, aromatic Merwah combine to reflect the rich terroir and centuries of Lebanese winemaking heritage.
Ideal for wine lovers seeking premium Lebanese white wines, Chateau Musar White 2017 benefits from decanting and has excellent cellaring potential, capable of ageing gracefully for decades.
Discover Chateau Musar – Premium Lebanese Organic Wines from Bekaa Valley
Founded in 1930 by Gaston Hochar, Chateau Musar draws inspiration from Lebanon’s rich 6,000-year winemaking heritage and classic Bordeaux traditions. The Hochar family, of French Crusader descent since the 12th century, has cultivated a deep-rooted passion for fine wine. Gaston Hochar began crafting his renowned “wines with noblesse” during the 1920s, impressing French military officers with his exceptional vintages under the League of Nations mandate in Lebanon and Syria.
A unique bond between Chateau Musar and Bordeaux was forged during World War II when Major Ronald Barton of Château Langoa-Barton befriended Gaston Hochar, strengthening the legacy of Lebanese Bordeaux-style wines. This connection paved the way for the next generation when Serge Hochar, Gaston’s eldest son, studied oenology under Emile Peynaud at Bordeaux University. In 1959, Serge took the helm as Chateau Musar’s winemaker, dedicating 18 years to perfecting the iconic red blend that would become a symbol of Lebanese wine excellence.
Despite Lebanon’s Civil War from 1975 to 1990, Serge Hochar’s unwavering commitment earned him Decanter Magazine’s first-ever ‘Man of the Year’ award in 1984. Today, Chateau Musar thrives under the leadership of the third generation, with brothers Gaston and Marc Hochar managing winery operations and global commercial growth, respectively. Alongside them, Ronald Hochar brings his expertise in law and logistics, ensuring the family legacy continues.
Chateau Musar wines are crafted using organically grown indigenous grapes from high-altitude vineyards (1,000 meters) in Lebanon’s famed Bekaa Valley. The winery follows a non-interventionist winemaking philosophy, producing complex, elegant red blends, and whites renowned worldwide for their exceptional ageing potential and unique terroir expression.
Explore our exclusive collection of organic Lebanese wines, including Chateau Musar’s legendary red blends and white wines, and experience the historic flavours of Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley.
