Splash decanted and drank over 2+ hours. No detailed notes. Semi-translucent ruby color. Medium minus body. As with most great wine, the flavors morphed. At 2+ hours it is cranberry, with cherry and strawberry hints, and significant, pleasant spice. I recall earlier more cherry and strawberry, and some dark berries. Excellent wine.
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Glorious wine this one. When I got it out there was quite a gap below the cork and I was a bit concerned but no need to, this was really lovely. Bouquet of rose petal, raspberry and cherry with spice, cinnamon, clove and a hint of pepper. On the palate it was beautifully balanced with mixed fruit flavours, and spice. It is like Christmas in a glass. Lingering aftertaste. Sells for about £19 which is amazing value. Probably got a couple of years at this level
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This has some VA which gets in the way but overall is an insane wine for the price. Rose, mocha, and juniper round out this mid-weight structured red. Really punching above its weight here and fans of Chateau Musar will enjoy this younger sibling. I bought a 6 pack and will likely exercise some restraint and put down 4 of them for another 2-3 years to see how they evolve.
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Very aromatic, earthy red fruits and cedar, very secondary thanks to the oak and tannin. I do like THESTERNOWL's 5/31/2022 note. Has good acidity but there is a clear DMZ on the palate where acid and tannin do not cross, and age isn't helping, though I would say spring for the Chateau bottling if you want more balance and elegance. Not complaining I picked this up at $22. Keeping the B+ (89) evaluation.
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Popped and poured; consumed over three days. The 2017 Musar “Hochar Pere et Fils” presents a deep garnet color with a near opaque core. Moderate staining of the tears. On the nose the wine is funky cherry accompanied by desiccated strawberry, leather, damp earth, espresso, baking chocolate, and some exotic spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the fruit characteristics and non-fruit characteristics whilst adding a licorice, prunes and a woody note reminiscent of a hollowed out log. I have to say…after some time (Day 3), it’s just the slightest bit mousy...showing some volatility too…but well within my acceptable range for it. Finishes long, lasting well over a minute. Savory. A tremendous wine with a very Old World (Ancient) sensibility. The best vintage of “Hochar” I have had to date? To my taste, yes.
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4/20/2024 - Ed B Likes this wine: 93 Points
Splash decanted and drank over 2+ hours. No detailed notes. Semi-translucent ruby color. Medium minus body. As with most great wine, the flavors morphed. At 2+ hours it is cranberry, with cherry and strawberry hints, and significant, pleasant spice. I recall earlier more cherry and strawberry, and some dark berries. Excellent wine.
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12/15/2022 - Ashdene Likes this wine: 93 Points
Glorious wine this one. When I got it out there was quite a gap below the cork and I was a bit concerned but no need to, this was really lovely. Bouquet of rose petal, raspberry and cherry with spice, cinnamon, clove and a hint of pepper. On the palate it was beautifully balanced with mixed fruit flavours, and spice. It is like Christmas in a glass. Lingering aftertaste. Sells for about £19 which is amazing value. Probably got a couple of years at this level
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11/4/2022 - garlicgrapes Likes this wine:
This has some VA which gets in the way but overall is an insane wine for the price. Rose, mocha, and juniper round out this mid-weight structured red. Really punching above its weight here and fans of Chateau Musar will enjoy this younger sibling. I bought a 6 pack and will likely exercise some restraint and put down 4 of them for another 2-3 years to see how they evolve.
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9/14/2022 - WineKnurd Likes this wine: 89 Points
Very aromatic, earthy red fruits and cedar, very secondary thanks to the oak and tannin. I do like THESTERNOWL's 5/31/2022 note. Has good acidity but there is a clear DMZ on the palate where acid and tannin do not cross, and age isn't helping, though I would say spring for the Chateau bottling if you want more balance and elegance. Not complaining I picked this up at $22. Keeping the B+ (89) evaluation.
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5/31/2022 - thesternowl wrote: 93 Points
Popped and poured; consumed over three days. The 2017 Musar “Hochar Pere et Fils” presents a deep garnet color with a near opaque core. Moderate staining of the tears. On the nose the wine is funky cherry accompanied by desiccated strawberry, leather, damp earth, espresso, baking chocolate, and some exotic spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the fruit characteristics and non-fruit characteristics whilst adding a licorice, prunes and a woody note reminiscent of a hollowed out log. I have to say…after some time (Day 3), it’s just the slightest bit mousy...showing some volatility too…but well within my acceptable range for it. Finishes long, lasting well over a minute. Savory. A tremendous wine with a very Old World (Ancient) sensibility. The best vintage of “Hochar” I have had to date? To my taste, yes.
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