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The Mosaic team recently attended the prestigious Nederburg Wine Auction at the Nederburg Wine Estate and acquired some new treasures for our cellar; however the highlight of our auction purchases was a very special bottle of Jaubert Family Muscat 1800! After tasting less than half a teaspoon of the “bottled nectar” during the informal tasting, the Mosaic team simply could not resist bidding for this exceptional bottle. At R42,500 for the 275ml bottle, and with only two bottles on auction, this is really an astounding addition to our cellar.

Jaubert Family Muscat circa 1800 is a single 115-litre barrel that has been in the possession of the Joubert family for over 200 years. The barrel is topped up roughly every 5 years as the angels take their share, though Cobus Joubert, the current custodian, says there were periods when it wasn't topped up for 25 years, adding to its unique style and incredible stability. The barrel is not topped fully, continuing the tradition of slow oxidation and leading to a partial Solera style, and only the best Muscat is sourced from Barrydale for the topping wine. It has not been fortified, or at least not in the last century! The residual sugar is around 360g/litre and it has a 10.5% alcohol level.

We are incredibly honoured to welcome this little bottle of “Angel’s Nectar” to its new home at Mosaic, where we plan to keep the bottle in safekeeping as part of our “Untouchables” collection, as a way of preserving the story and history of the wine as part of the South African wine history.

Winemaker: Meyer Joubert (1800)

Cultivar: Muscat d'Alexandrie (100%)

Colour: It has an iridescent clear amber hue with green tints on the rim.

Bouquet: The nose is simply stellar: candied orange peel, toffee, apricot and almond soar from the glass and fix you to the spot.

Palate: The palate is perfectly balanced and fresher than some South African wines two centuries younger! It has a Sauternes-like viscosity but is not cloying like a Tokaji Essenzia. There is a touch of sherbet at the tip of the tongue and then it fans out towards a kaleidoscope of spice, clove, candied fruits and a touch of honey. One can discern an oxidative tang towards the finish that has a touch of volatility. Very long and intense and yet somehow refined and elegant, this is an ethereal experience.

Maturation: This is already more than 200 years old and will last forever.

Score: 99/100

Santé!

Cobus, Germain and the Mosaic Team