Frequently asked questions answered by Kobus Deetlefs, son of Philip Deetlefs and the current CEO of the Deetlefs Wine Group.

What makes this specific wine so special?

The 1974 Muscat is unique to any other product in terms of the story, the quality and the price.
There is only one batch of 3000 litres of this specific 1974 Muscat d’ Alexandrie available forever and a day.
This 1974 Muscat must be seen as more than a wine; a unique product that is one of a kind in the world of luxury goods. As such it cannot be compared with any other wine.
Third party confirmation on the story, the quality and the price complete the picture.

R31,000 per 375ml bottle.
The Muscat is exclusively available from the estate.
Please note that each bottle is hand-packed in a hand-made wooden case (Namibian teak) and it might take up to 45 days to deliver.
Each bottle will be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.

Rarity and uniqueness!
There is only 3000 litres of the 1974 Muscat that my father made available, and it can never be replenished.  
The rarity, value and price will increase as the demand grows and volumes decrease.
The intrinsic value of a unique product like this is determined by the rarity, availability and future demand.
This wine is being described by some as "liquid gold".

No, we do not market and sell it as an investment, however it might turn out to be a good one as the volume of this wine decreases and the rarity value increases.
The Deetlefs family will keep a certain percentage as an investment.

The discerning individual who is fortunate enough to own and enjoy one of the worlds most rare and unique wines, collectors and/or corporate companies who want to reward their most valued customers.

Since when was it available and was it always at this price?

This is best explained by a time-line:

1974 - the wager and the "birth" of this wine
1989 - the tank was opened and tasted
2001 - first sales at R165 / 375ml bottle (±$24)
2002 - 1 bottle earned R31,000 (±$4500) in Rome at a charity auction
2003 - price increased to R550 / 375ml bottle (±$80)
2004 - price increased to R1200 / 375ml bottle (±$175)
2004 - realisation that we had a very rare and valuable item urged us to withdraw the Muscat from the market
2006 - Deetlefs branding was changed to reflect the history and values
2007 - we decided to release small volumes very selectively world-wide
Approximately 400 bottles were sold before the withdrawal in 2004. A few individuals were fortunate enough to get hold of some. There are currently three bottles that we are aware of (in the old packaging) in a wine shop in Cape Town available for R29,000.

Are you prepared to buy back some of the first wines sold?

It is policy not to buy back any of it as we do not have any control over the handling and storage conditions.

Did the wine create any excitement?

Since the story behind the origin of this unique product became known, it has generated its own momentum.
It was news on television in 2003 (SABC and CNN), as well as on radio in South Africa and various publications (lifestyle-, financial- and wine-publications)

How does the Muscat compare with other wines?

You cannot compare the Muscat as it is unique to any other product in terms of the story-quality-rarity-price – combination.
Two well-known estates in France and California that produce 4000L to 5000L per year are selling their wines for ±£900 and $1500/bottle respectively. To put the Muscat into even more perspective: these special mentioned wines will produce on average ±100,000 litres over a 25 year period.

Does the 1974 Muscat carry any message?

South Africa is a special country with special people.
It reads like the history of our country: if you believe in something, act upon it and live your dream, you may achieve it and cause a ripple-effect that will be felt for many generations.
Born out of "stubbornness" this special wine carries a message of hope!

How would you describe the quality and what is the further ageing potential of the 1974 Muscat?

Exceptional quality substantiated by awards: Michelangelo (South Africa) in 2000 and Muscats du Monde (France) in 2003.
Wine writers described it as follows:

• - "Highly individual style for more specialized palates" – Dave Hughes
• - "Superb old Muscat and a rarity" – John Platter

Unlimited ageing potential! Thanks to a slow oxidation process over many years on the lees the sulphur is basically zero and the wine very stable.

What does it taste like and where can I taste it?

Unique and exquisitely flavoured, this is a wine that can only be described as a "sweet stunner" - Katinka van Niekerk
Unfortunately the wine is not available for tasting.

Colour:	Dark golden-brown with a khaki-green tinge. Burnished gold with an intense meniscus
Bouquet:	Complex concentrated flavours are released on different levels in the glass: almonds and nuts; coffee/toffee and straw; lime freshness with hints of spice; dried fruit (apricot/peach and aromas of raisons)
Palate:	Breathtaking complexity, texture and depth of intensely concentrated dried fruit flavours! Rich palate reflects a toastiness and lively freshness with a smooth dry finish that goes on forever. Warm and mouth filling with more layers of flavour – caramel and citrus to be exact – which develop after the wine has been swallowed! Concentrated and delicious, and, most surprisingly; elegant beyond expectation.

Serving suggestions for this Hanepoot?

• - On its own.
• - After after dinner with friends.
• - Deserts: A brilliant wine to accompany all those old brilliant sweet things which are hard to match with wine.
  Chocolate mousse and other chocolate deserts
  Chocolate, or pecan ice cream, or with ice cream that is served with a layer of berries from a Rumtopf. In fact, this wine will work well with all ice-cream which is usually impossible to match with wine.
  It’s made to compliment all ginger-flavoured sweet dishes
  Any rich spicy pudding with various levels of sweetness, for example oven-baked deserts: Christmas cakes, Christmas pudding and cakes and tarts with cream, custard, or exotic sweet fruit sauces.
  Excellent with fruit deserts like green figs in syrup – often served with coffee in South Africa.
  Delightful with all citrus-flavoured sweet dishes: very rich, dark orange-flavoured chocolate mousse, or a dense orange and almond cake!
  Dark chocolate
• - With rich liver patés that are creamy and full.
• - Cheese
  With Parmesan, Gruyére, Sbrinz, Pecorino, Stilton, Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Blue Cheshire, and old, old Cheddars that have been matured for at least a year.
  Even highly flavoured and salty cheese like goat’s milk or sheep’s milk cheese
  With this wine on offer something sweet can be enjoyed alongside the cheese, like whole pieces of watermelon jam or glace green figs.
• - An egg omelette with a sweet filling (canned fruit or berry kompott), which serves both as a main course and desert, is a splendid idea. If cheese is served afterwards the wine would simply continue into the cheese course.
• - On a wet Sunday afternoon:
  A delightful wine with coffee and pancakes with cinnamon sugar!
  This wine is un-fined and unfiltered and it is recommended that you decant it before enjoyment, as fine sediment might have formed.

What about the future if there is no more available?

In order to honour Philip Deetlefs for his revolutionary vision and tradition a limited batch (5000 litres) of Muscat has been made in 2003 for a 25 year release in 2028.
Although it will never have quite the uniqueness of the first wine made by my father, it will tell the story to generations to come…

It is special to be part of this historical product - Kobus Deetlefs