The Bartinney Wine Estate
We visited Bartinney Wine Estate in the early part of 2011. The farm is situated on the hellish high slopes of Helshoogte Pass and overlooks the picturesque Banghoek Valley in Stellenbosch. Passionately involved husband and wife team, Michael and Rose Jordaan, repurchased the 40 ha family farm in 2006 with a vision to create excellent wines and reawaken the charm of this beautiful property. The newly renovated boutique cellar now produces Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay from low yielding vineyards positioned on cooler elevated slopes. Cabernet Sauvignon is planted in deep red soils on the slightly lower foothills and the 2009 vintage has just been released too much acclaim. Newton Wines also imports the Estate‟s excellent range of wines under the Noble Savage label.
Winemaker Profile
The current winemaker is Ronell Wiid. who built her reputation as Assistant Winemaker at Boschendal between 1989-1997 and at Hazendal where she was Head Winemaker until joining Bartinney in 2012. Ronell is also the only female winner of the Diners Club Winemaker of the Year title to date. Since joining Bartinney the wines have gone up in the estimation of many critics. I agree!
Conservation at Bartinney
When the Jordaan family declared Bartinney their new permanent home in April 2008, energetic Rose Jordaan made tree planting her mission. More than 5000 trees and fynbos, indigenous to the area, have been re-established on thirteen hectares of rehabilitated land from what was previously a pine and gum plantation. Plans for a nursery to help restore and protect neglected slopes on the farm are on the cards. They have also received Champion status in the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative (BWI) in South Africa for the last four years.
Pictures of Bartinney Wine Estate
Wine made on a mountain, overlooking the picturesque Banghoek Valley in Stellenbosch
A feel of one of the most beautiful wine estates and tasting rooms in South Africa. To see a larger, clearer version of this image, just click on the picture.
Bartinney Wine Estate Wines
These are the Bartinney Wine Estate wines that Newton Wines supplies
Bartinney Sauvignon Blanc 2021
The 2021 is pale lemon in colour with a green hue. On the nose it has lovely sweet honeyed fruit notes, hints of grass and apple sauce. A dry wine with a medium weight on the palate, it is fresh and clean wine with flavours of lemon peel, ripe citrus and tropical fruit with delicate notes of minerality. A balance of fruit and acidity gives a lingering finish. Drink 2022 to 2025.
Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc Alcohol: 13%Hourglass Chardonnay 2016 / 2019
The Bartinney’s flagship Chardonnay takes its name from a new planting of exquisite estate Chardonnay, which is naturally shaped like an hourglass. Used to ‘measure the passage of time’ the hourglass is an ode to patience. To craft the long awaited small-batch offering, the team nurtured the old vine Chardonnay for 5 years to produce the finest fruit. They now patiently wait for the new Hourglass vines to flourish.
Tasting Notes
The limited release (700 bottles only) Hourglass, is a wine that is rich and penetrating, with a fine, subtle creaminess, offset by fresh citrus minerality. A versatile, food friendly wine, with and long finish and excellent ageing potential.
Grapes: Chardonnay Alcohol: 13.5%
Bartinney Chardonnay 2019 / 2020
This 2019 Chardonnay, which has spent 11 months in French oak (34% new), is pale lemon gold and displays a bouquet of lifted apricot blossom, lemon and toasted caramel oak and vanilla. Dry rich and creamy on the palate with a medium mouth-weight, the palate shows tropical fruit and ripe pear characters, interlaced with chalky acidity. This wine is elegant, creamy and nutty with a soft refined palate and finishes with great intensity.
Currently out off stock more due in end of November.
4.5 Stars in Platters
Grapes: Chardonnay Alcohol: 13.5%Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
The 2017 vintage follows on from a succession of excellent vintages. The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is a vibrant and full bodied wine. The nose displays aromatic plum and dense cassis with a hint of mint. Classic oak characteristics like chocolate, cedar and roasted coffee beans compliment the black berry fruit flavours. The tannins are refined but present and this wine will be at its best in +5 years. Received 4.5 Stars in the Platters 2022 guide.
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon Alcohol: 14%
Bartinney Élevage 2013
A beautifully assembled Bordeaux quartet. The wine has a brilliant deep ruby colour, a complex nose of black cherries, violets, mocha, and just a hint of classic French oak. Gentle spice, freshness and plentiful black berry fruit is given structure by silky, polished tannins, which enhance the excellent ageing potential of the wine. .
Grapes: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 5% Malbec Alcohol: 14%Skyfall Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
The Skyfall is Bartinney’s flagship, small-batch release red which heroes the depth and maturity of the high-altitude vines. As the name Skyfall alludes, the 18-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon vines drift down from the Banhoek skyline. The exquisite individual pockets reach up to 500m above sea level. Cabernet Sauvignon makes up 70% of the vines planted on the estate. It has taken years of care, to coax the absolute best ‘personality’ from the diverse parcels of vines.
Tasting Notes
The deep red colour shows that this wine has developed well over time. The winemaking and viticultural practices were geared towards retaining varietal typicity which is expressed in the form of blackcurrant, aniseed, ripe plums and mint. Maturation in 70% new oak barrels resulted in dark chocolate notes underpinned by hints of cigar box. The tannins on this full-bodied, opulent wine has smoothed out during bottle maturation. The wine retains black fruit notes and aniseed on the palate.
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon Alcohol: 14.2
Contact Newton Wines
Call Newton Wines if you'd like to stock wines from our vineyards.
You’ll need to contact our stockists (list above) if you’re after a particular wine in your area, but if you’re not near any stockists, give us a call and we’ll do our best to help you.