2021 Tinta Barocca
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The Western Cape is home to various Portuguese varieties, historically used to make Port-stye wines, and some of these special old vineyards are now being reclaimed by producers like Momento. It’s a passion project for Marelise Niemann, one that only just about breaks even, getting just one ton a hectare off the vines. Closest in style to the Sadie Family Wines’ expression of the grape, this is an elegant expression of Tinta Barocca – the potentially fierce tannins tamed to provide a fine, firm, but not at all aggressive framework. It’s lifted, with an ethereality and sweetness, but depth to the cherry and blueberry, almost brambly, fruit on the palate. Lovely, juicy and long – a one-of-a-kind wine.
Critic scores
Average Score
Tim Atkin MW
Neal Martin
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The 2021 Tinta Barocca comes from three vineyards in Darling, Stellenbosch and Swartland, 15% whole bunches and matured in 15% new oak for 18 months. Earthy red fruit on the nose with touches of sage and leather. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly bitter entry, not as complex as Niemann's other cuvées, but it offers something different to the Cape's palette.
Produced in what was an "easy, absolute pleasure" of a vintage in 2021, this compact, dense, black-fruited Tinta Barocca uses grapes from three very old vineyards in Darling, the Paardeberg and Stellenbosch. Firm and thick-skinned, it has stubbly tannins, damson and liquorice flavours and a faint echo of oak.
About the producer
Marelise Niemann’s Momento project is among South Africa’s most exciting. Named Tim Atkin MW’s Young Winemaker of the Year in 2023, Niemann farms old-vine parcels in Bot River and the Swartland, focusing on Grenache and crafting site-expressive wines that belong on the world stage.