02 April 2011

Mochatage Pinotage 2009


Seems every month a new coffee ’n’ chocolate Pinotage is added to the pack. When supermarkets get their own label version then you know it is entering the mainstream.

Mochatage is Marks & Spencer’s take on the category and the front label leaves no room for doubt about its taste and how that is achieved.

And it’s pretty good, not overpowering although distinctly coffee-ish, but there’s also some silky ripe berry fruit flavours underneath. I could face a second glass of this and I think it’ll please shoppers pining for the loss of Diemersfontein’s original from Waitrose’s shelves.

The wine is made by Thys Loubser at KWV: is it their Café Culture under a different label? Anyway, £6.99 at M&S in a screwcap.

Good back label, too.

6 comments:

  1. Nice article, thanks for the information.

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  2. Anonymous16:45

    hi there, do you know where i can order a case of this? i cant seem to find it on the m and s website

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  3. Hi Anonymous -- this label is exclusive to M&S. Their website often doesn't have the same wines as instore, so you'll be best to visit your local M&S and if its not in stock ask them to order some for you.

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  4. I would like to share the tasting notes of this Pinotage.

    M 1702 MEERENDAL DURBANVILLE - SINGLE VINEYARD WINE - THE HERITAGE BLOCK PINOTAGE - GROWN, MADE AND BOTTLED AT MEERENDAL ESTATE - SOUTH AFRICA 2005 14 %

    Pinotage is a unique grape variety to South Africa. This exceptional Pinotage was produced from bush vines planted in 1955, the only remaining original plantings in Durbanville. Jeerendal with its rich history dating back to 1702, is proud to treasure this heritage block of Pinotage.

    After half a century of growing in the weathered shale soils on the estate these vines have harmonized with their surroundings. The wine was made from hand picked grapes in traditional open fermenters with punch down’s every four hours. New French oak barrels were used for the 16-month maturation. This cool climate Pinotage has supple, fine-grained tannins that complement the concentrated berry flavours. The wine has excellent maturation potential.

    A limited quantity has been produced from this single vineyard and released for the first time in 2007.

    VISUAL ANALYSIS: limpid, ruby red with carmine reflexes, quite flowing.

    OLFACTORY ANALYSIS: the range of scents is composed by nutmeg, chocolate, well ripe ribes, natural rubber, dry petals of rose and black olives.

    GUSTATIVE ANALYSIS: dry, good sensation of pseudo-warmth and great sapidity; the structure is good-natured and the tannin is present at the end of the gustative exam with some astringent touches and several pinches of bitterish tendency. The final flavour coincides with what it has been perceived at the olfactory analysis, that’s to say spices and ripe fruits.

    WINE-FOOD COMBINATION: under done red meat

    * The sweet tendency of the meat is counterbalancing the mineral salts of the wine
    * The sweet tendency of the meat is counting the bitterish tendency of the tannin
    * The succulence of the meat is opposing with tannic astringency and alcoholic dryness

    MY PERSONAL OPINION: an intense and fascinating wine for experts and regular tasters endowed of fine and fastidious palates. In any case, a great red wine.

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  5. Just got our first bottle of this wine and it will not be our last! A very interesting bottle indeed with a case for Christmas at the very least.

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  6. nice post im very interested

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