The Wine Expert’s Guide to Mozambique

 

Ja, es stimmt, beim Essen und Trinken spiele ich in der Champions‘ League mit. Nachdem meine Mitreisenden gestern auch noch meine Beziehung zum Wein enttarnt hatten (als ich Kossas Oma das Bild vom Keller gezeigt hatte),

und Kai dann auch noch hier veröffentlicht hatte, will ich nun wenigstens ein paar Anregungen für den Weinkonsum in Mosambik geben.

Eigentlich hatte ich mir gedacht, dass ich in Maputo eine Trinkpause einlege, nachdem wir in der Woche vor der Abreise doch so einiges vertilgt hatten.

 

Dieser Plan wurde mir gleich am ersten Abend zunichte gemacht, weil meine drei Mitreisenden abends gerne etwas trinken. Außerdem fand ich am zweiten Abend unvermittelt einen ganz erstaunlichen Weinladen auf der Straße des 24. Juli fand. Dort fanden sich fast alle Spitzenweine aus Südafrika zu vernünftigen Preisen.

 

 

 

Da ich seit meiner Zeit in Südafrika 1998 südafrikanische Weine allenfalls unsystematisch getrunken hatte, konnte ich diese Gelegenheit nicht vorübergehen lassen.

Im folgenden meine Verkostungsnotizen (wie sie auch auf https://www.cellartracker.com/event.asp?iEvent=27651 erschienen sind).

 

 

 

---

 

(10.03.2015)

2012 João Portugal Ramos Alentejo Marquês de Borba

Portugal, Alentejano, Alentejo, $18

This was the first decent wine I came across after hitting the ground in Maputo. Got it at a super market which was otherwise filled with cheap South African wine. I thought this was nice at the pool with freshness of lemon and quince balancing off the passion fruit and pineapple and this even showed some minerality. Not complicated but decent. 86 points.

 

 

 

(11.03.2015)

2013 Boschendal Sauvignon Blanc Reserve Collection
South Africa, Coastal Region, $15

Fat bouquet of gooseberry, passion fruit and lime. On the palate similarly rich with almost cloying fruit only countered by a slight hint of lemon. 85 points.

 

 

 

 

(12.03.2015)

2008 Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon
South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch, $25

One of the best Cabernets I have had from South Africa. Familiar cassis nose, some tobacco, chocolate. Charming and subtle tannins, silky finish. In great shape right now. 92 points.

 

 

 

 

(13.03.2015)

2011 Jordan Winery (Jardin) Cape Winemakers Guild Sophia
South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch, $150

Ripe bouquet of cassis, plums, vanilla. On the palate, forbidding tannins obscuring the otherwise fine fruit of prunes, cassis, blackberry. Not sure this will ever come round but then it may … Anyway I thought this was too obvious for a $100 wine. 90 points.

 

 

 

(14.03.2015)

2008 Anwilka Stellenbosch

South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch, $40

Anwilka is a joint venture between two vintners from Bordeaux (Hubert de Bouard and Bruno Prats) and Lowell Jooste from Stellenbosch. Nose of blueberry, coffee, chocolate. On the palate a satin texture, charming and long. Really quite good. 91 points.

 

 

 

(15.03.2015)

2010 Kanonkop Estate Paul Sauer
South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, $50

A nice fresh bouquet of brambles and raspberry that defies the alcohol rating. On the palate plenty of fruit but still very balanced with a core of freshness and acidity. Really great. 94 points.

 

 

 

(16.03.2015)

2009 Waterford Estate The Jem
South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch, $100

Attractive nose of cassis, tobacco, plums. On the palate tannins still quite present, wonderful notes of coffee, chocolate, cassis show the way. This will become even better. Spectacular. 94 points.

 

 

 

 

(17.03.2015)

2009 Meerlust Rubicon
South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch, $35

Good nose of blackberries, some greenness. Good fruit of cassis and blueberries but quite a bit hot on the backend and not very complicated. 93 points.

 

 

 

 

2011 Sadie Family Columella
South Africa, Coastal Region, Swartland, $90

The super-star from Swartland. 8,000 bottles made. Laser-like focus and full of life. Tannins quite snappy, spices, coffee, cassis. This is really good right now but my suspicion is that this will be even better with time. 94 points.