2018 Sadie Family Swartland Pofadder, South Africa

2018 Sadie Family Swartland Pofadder, South Africa

2017 Sadie Family Swartland Columella, South Africa

2017 Sadie Family Swartland Columella, South Africa

2018 Sadie Family Swartland Treinspoor, South Africa

A$99.00
Availability: Out of stock
SKU
B17677V18
96
Old Vine Series. 13% alc. “It’s a Swartland thing”, notes Sadie of Tinta Barocca (note the S.A. spelling with one r and two c’s), which arrived in South Africa from the Duero and has found an opportune home in the Western Cape. Historically Tinta das Barrocas (the earlier spelling) has always played a prominent role in Swartland’s red blends, though interest in the variety—particularly from the old, dry-grown vineyards—has really spiked in recent years. This vineyard, planted in 1974 and located next to the old railway line (treinspoor), lies four kilometres west of Malmesbury on decomposed granite and sandstone. Sadie notes that while the very fragile, thin skin of Tinta Barocca is prone to sunburn, the old bush vines keep the bunches sheltered from the intense Swartland sun. Sadie likens his Treinspoor to a sort of stylistic cross between Northern Rhone Syrah (blackberry/currant fruit, plushness, nettles) and Piemontese Nebbiolo, (spice, florals, acidity and tannins). That pretty much nails it. It’s certainly a wine of great energy and drive, with its dark and inky core surrounded by layers of pretty, red fruit and florals all wrapped in fine, powdery tannins. Fermented in concrete and raised for 12 months in foudre, it’s an outstanding, idiosyncratic red of great beauty and character. Again, Sadie thinks that “this is in many ways the most balanced and harmonious wine we have bottled from this vineyard.” The yield, unfortunately, was very small, and therefore so is our allocation.

Treinspoor comes from a vineyard close to the railway line on the Darling side of the Swartland. It was especially crucial to get the picking date right in 2018, according to Paul Jordaan, but he and Eben Sadie nailed it. Showing the classic grip and square-jawed gruffness of Tinta Barocca, but with intense, savoury damson and tobacco flavours and ageworthy tannic structure.
96 points Tim Atkin MW South Africa Special Report 2019
More Information
Product/Service Sold Out Yes
En Primeur No
New Arrivals No
Wine Type Red Wine
Country South Africa
Region Western Cape, Swartland
Varietals Tinta Barocca (SA)/Tinta Barroca (Portugal)
Vintage 2018
Bottle Size 750ml
Wine Points 96
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