Just looked back. I can see that I have rated Gaston Hochar 01, 07 and 09 roughly the same whereas 96 I’ve rated lower (tasted in 17 and 18).
Vivino have various vintages of Gaston Hochar available for $50-$60.
Just looked back. I can see that I have rated Gaston Hochar 01, 07 and 09 roughly the same whereas 96 I’ve rated lower (tasted in 17 and 18).
Vivino have various vintages of Gaston Hochar available for $50-$60.
I’ve seen the Hochar recently at Total Wine. I don’t remember which vintage. There was also some Gran Vin.
I would also recommend the Hochar to get a feel. It will give you a taste and let you know if you want to try more. Many of the bottlings of the ‘grand vin’ you find out there might be a bit young.
I don’t think it’s more “modern” at all. You could call closer to primary and less mature. Most ‘grand vin’ is in barrel and bottle aged longer so it’s going to have a mature character.
Just had the '16 Hochar. I found little resemblance between it and Ch. Musar. It is 50% cinsault, 35% grenache and only 15% cabernet, versus the 33%/33%/33% of the first wine. The '16 Hochar has none of the lushness I recall in Musars. It is pretty high acid.