2022 Sadie Family Treinspoor

The 2022 Sadie Family Treinspoor is one of Swartland’s most compelling red wines, crafted by visionary winemaker Eben Sadie. Made from old-vine Tinta Barocca, it offers a captivating blend of finesse, structure and authenticity that speaks clearly of its origin. Produced in tiny quantities, this bottling has become a benchmark for how serious, ageworthy wines from South Africa’s Swartland can be.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2022 Treinspoor shows a luminous, clear ruby-red hue, more reminiscent of refined European classics than a sun-drenched southern red. The nose unfolds slowly, so give it time: delicate notes of wild raspberry and cranberry leaf are interwoven with tobacco, damp clay, and a striking earthy minerality. Complex layers of spice – clove, nutmeg and a touch of cracked black pepper – emerge as the wine opens, adding depth and intrigue. On the palate, Treinspoor is taut, precise and beautifully structured. There is a vibrant, mouthwatering acidity that carries the red fruit and spice across the palate, while the tannins are firm, fine-grained and persistent, often compared to the texture of top Barolo or Barbaresco from Piemonte. Flavors of red cherry, raspberry, dried herbs and subtle savory notes linger on a long, focused finish. This is a wine built for the cellar: while already compelling, it will gain further complexity and harmony over 8–15 years, and likely beyond in excellent conditions.

Production
Treinspoor is sourced from old bush vines of Tinta Barocca in the Swartland appellation, where decomposed granite and iron-rich, clay-influenced soils combine with a dry, warm climate and cooling afternoon breezes to produce grapes of intensity and freshness. Yields are kept very low, and harvesting is done by hand to ensure perfect selection and gentle handling of the fruit. In the cellar, Eben Sadie follows a minimalist, traditional approach: whole or partially whole clusters are often used, fermentation is spontaneous with native yeasts, and extraction is measured to preserve finesse rather than power. The wine is then matured in neutral, large-format oak to allow the terroir and the character of Tinta Barocca to take center stage, without overt influence from new wood.

Food & Serving
This structured yet finely detailed red pairs beautifully with dishes that can match its savory depth and firm tannins. Consider slow-braised lamb shank, osso buco, game birds, or rich mushroom dishes, as well as aged hard cheeses like Pecorino or mature Gouda. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to highlight its aromatic complexity and refined texture. Decanting for 1–2 hours in its youth is highly recommended to help the aromas unfurl and the tannins soften; older bottles can be decanted more gently, mainly to separate any sediment.

Producer
The Sadie Family Wines estate, founded by Eben Sadie in the early 2000s, has become one of South Africa’s most revered and influential producers. Working primarily in the Swartland, Sadie was instrumental in identifying and reviving old, dry-farmed bush vines that had long been overlooked, and he played a key role in elevating the region’s reputation on the world stage. His flagship wines, Columella and Palladius, helped redefine what Cape wines could be, emphasizing terroir expression, balance and ageworthiness over sheer power. Today, Sadie Family is regarded as a benchmark for thoughtful, site-driven winemaking in South Africa, with Treinspoor standing out as one of the estate’s most distinctive and sought-after single-varietal reds.

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