Bartinney Private Cellar, situated on the picturesque Helshoogte Pass, has been awarded two five-star ratings for the Bartinney Hourglass Chardonnay 2020 and Bartinney Skyfall Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, respectively.
These results were announced at the launch of the latest edition of the authoritative and internationally recognized Platter’s by Diners Club South African Wine Guide 2023 last Thursday (17 November).
Regarded as Bartinney’s flagship wine, the Skyfall Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, is a small-batch release, which heroes the depth and maturity of the high-altitude vines, that they are crafted from the estate’s best hand-selected blocks.
As the name Skyfall alludes, the Cabernet Sauvignon vines drift down from the Banhoek skyline. The exquisite individual pockets reach up to 500 m above sea level.
It has taken years of care, to coax the absolute best ‘personality’ from the diverse parcels of vines. 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 have smoothed out during bottle maturation. The wine retains black fruit notes and aniseed on the palate.
Also, a small-batch release wine, the Bartinney Hourglass Chardonnay 2020 is a vineyard selection from the oldest Chardonnay vineyard on the farm. The limited release (1 200 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.
‘We’re thrilled by this latest award, as it reaffirms our commitment to making wines of a world-class standard,’ says CEO Kobie Lochner.
