Winemaker Notes
The 2023 Treinspoor opens with incredibly complex, spicy, and earthy aromas. The wine exudes the fragrance of freshly plowed, beautiful soil. Earthy and bright red fruit aromas intertwine, supported by substantial tannins and acidity that\ promise longevity. Patience is recommended to fully appreciate the evolution of this wine.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Intense violet and dried-flower aromas here, combining with blue and black plum fruit, tea leaves, bark and nutmeg. It’s medium-bodied, very fresh and alive, with tight and firm yet almost indiscernible tannins that spread across the palate. Well-framed. Tinta barroca from old bush vines planted in Malmesbury in the Swartland, half destemmed and half whole-cluster fermented. Try from 2026.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A 100% expression of Tinta Barocca, The Sadie Family's 2023 Swartland Old Vine Series Treinspoor comes from a vineyard located 21 kilometers from the ocean on alluvial sandstone, granite and quartz formations. The wine presents an intriguing bouquet with distinct aromas of crushed stone, graphite, petrichor and shaved pencil. These add to the vertical and linear presentation of this unique red wine. Those stony sensations terminate with sweet cherry and more berry fruits over a medium-plus finish. Eben Sadie says he hates cooked flavors and he hates underripe flavors. Founding an ideal balance is key, and this vintage does just that.
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Wine Spectator
Appealing hints of brambly herbs, tea leaf and warm spices accent the pure core of ripe plum, mulberry and wild strawberry fruit on display in this fresh, enticing, medium-bodied red. Supple and fragrant through the lingering finish, firmed by fine, taut tannins. Tintas das Baroccas (Tinta Barroca). Drink now through 2035. 60 cases imported.
Beyond the usual suspects, there are hundreds of red grape varieties grown throughout the world. Some are indigenous specialties capable of producing excellent single varietal wines, while others are better suited for use as blending grapes. Each has its own distinct viticultural characteristics, as well as aroma and flavor profiles, offering much to be discovered by the curious wine lover. In particular, Portugal and Italy are known for having a multitude of unique varieties but they can really be found in any region.
Literally meaning "the black land," Swartland takes its name from the endangered, indigenous "renosterbos" (translating to rhino bush), which used to be plentiful enough to turn the entire landscape a dark color certain during times of year. The district, attracting some of the most adventurous and least interventionist winemakers, excels in robust and full-bodied reds as well as quality fortified wines.