Bartinney Private Cellar is set on the slopes of the Botmaskop overlooking the Banhoek Valley in Stellenbosch. It was established in 1912, and has been in the Jordaan family since 1953. Today, Rose and Michael Jordaan tend the 28-hectare farm where old vines are planted to a height of 550m above sea level and with slopes as steep as 45 degrees. Small pockets of low yielding, hand-tended Chardonnay vineyards are on the cooler elevated slopes and Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards are on the lower foothills.
On the way to Bartinney, a brief stop was made at the Mok Gallery on the Murati Wine Estate in the Knorhoek Valley north of Stellenbosch.
The Wine & Fynbos Tasting at Bartinney is said to be “an innovative tasting of the three estate wines – Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay & Cabernet Sauvignon, alongside native fynbos grown on the farm.” The multi-sensory tasting is supposed to change ones perceptions of the wines and highlight the estate’s ongoing commitment to conserving the unique Cape biodiversity.
- Bartinney Sauvignon Blanc 2022: Subdued, crisp with a hint of saltiness. (15.5)
- Bartinney Chardonnay 2021. Full bodied with a hint of bitterness at the end. ABV 13.5% (15)
- Bartinney Hourglass Chardonnay 2021: Fruit from 32 yo vines higher up in the mountain. Refined & pleasing. ABV 13.5%. (15.5)
- Bartinney Cabernet Sauvignon 2018: ABV 14.5%. (15.5)
- Bartinney Skyfall Cabernet Sauvignon 2018: Balanced, complex chardonnay with soft tannins. ABV 14.5%. (16)
We had lunch at Bacco – the family winery and restaurant of Nathan Jankelowitz, quantity surveyor turned wine estate owner long inspired by the opulence of the Super Tuscans. He dreamt of bringing this brand of luxury to South African wine lovers, a dream that has now become reality.
The tasting room/restaurant is managed by Clara Jankelowitz, a qualified patisserie chef out of Le Cordon Bleu, London. She delights visitors with her brand of Cicchetti – Italian-inspired small plates. Our lunch was excellent.
The following wines were tasted with lunch:
- Bacco Rosé 2022: A blend of 60% Malbec, 30% Syrah & 10% Vermentino. (15)
- Bacco Estate Chardonnay 2022: Inaugural vintage from a block planted in 2019. ABV (15.5)
- Bacco Prelude Red Blend 2019: 43% Malbec, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot. (16)
- Bacco Prelude Syrah 2020: (16)
- Bacco Red Blend 2019: (16)
(The visits were arranged by Ilze Fox of Southern Destinations and Melissa Southerland of Vindigo Travel, Cape Town).
Published 16/1/24
HMWS Blog 