Provenance

Wine Cellar Private Client

Critics Ratings

'Located in the cooler, Darling side of the Swartland on sandy-loam soils, this is a rare outing for Tinta Barocca as a dry red in the Cape. Showing the tannins that make it such a good variety for fortified wines, it's mineral, dry and firm, with bright acidity, redcurrant and raspberry fruit and the concentration to age. Drink: 2016-22' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2016, 94/100

'How much to expect from single-variety Tinta Barocca? This wine is from a Swartland vineyard planted in 1974 and the first impression the nose of the 2015 gives is a subtle meatiness and then flowers, red fruit, spice and white pepper. The palate shows good flavour intensity, fresh acidity and fine tannins. It's a striking wine on account of its fruit purity but it's not particularly detailed, at least not at this stage.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 92/100

'(from old bush vines planted in 1974; 100% whole-bunch fermentation; aged in concrete and one wooden cask): Bright, full red. Wild, leathery scents of red and darker berries and licorice are a bit rustic in a positive, soil-driven way. Concentrated, chewy, slightly dusty wine with leather and game low notes to go along with the higher-pitched red berries and flowers. Reminded me a bit of a funky grower Beaujolais but a good one. Turns a bit dry on the back end, but this is an utterly unique wine. '- Neal Martin, Vinous, 91/100

'The 2015 Old Vine Series Treinspoor, Eben's Tinta Barocca cuvée, which he said has "the biggest passport in South Africa" since the grape has been grown there for a long time for fortified wine production, has a lucid ruby color. Eben told me that it is actually one of his most difficult sells but I am of the opinion that it is one of his best wines. Darker in colur than then other OVS labels, it has a captivating bouquet with raspberry, cranberry leaf, tobacco and damp wet clayey aromas. The palate has firm tannin that Eben compared to Piedmont, which I can understand. The acidity is beautifully judged with killer salinity and mineralité on the finish that both linger in the mouth. This is an outstanding South African wine.' - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 96/100 (Apr 2017)