2022 Sadie Family Swartland Treinspoor Tinta Barroca

Tinta Barocca arrived in South Africa from the Duero and has found a home in the Western Cape. Historically Tinta Barocca 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.

Other Reviews....
Stately and refined on the nose, the 2022 Old Vine Series Treinspoor expresses dark red fruit with ripe black cherry and spiced plum essences. Medium-bodied and with 13% alcohol, the palate displays elegance and finesse, offering a balanced frame of fine-grained tannins with seductive mineral tension. For those who have never tried this bottling, many elements will be familiar and pleasurable, offering fantastic action with layers of complexity before ending with a long lingering finish that shines with bold tannins. 7,500 bottles were produced from 50% whole-cluster grapes. Drink 2024 - 2042.
96 points
Anthony Mueller - Wine Advocate (Dec 30, 2023)

The 2022 Treinspoor is pure Swartland Tinta Barocca that includes 50% whole clusters, 20 to 28 days on the skins and matured in old foudres. The bouquet is a little plusher on the nose than the Pofadder, with crushed rose petals and fynbos - garrigue. Stunning delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannins, perfectly balanced, and a touch of graphite. It’s quite saline on the finish with a pinch of white pepper. All this is delivered at just 13.1% alcohol. Sadie reckons this grape variety is a long-term player, and I've no reason to disagree. Sublime. Drink 2025-2050.
97 points
Neal Martin - Vinous