2018 Momento Tinta Barocca
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | |
| Region | Swartland |
| Appellation | Swartland (Appellation) |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Grape | |
| Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (13.5%) |
| Drink window | 2020 - 2032 |
Description
Marelise Niemann is known for her wines of purity, elegance and honesty, working with old vines in both Bot River and the Swartland. She uses a minimal intervention approach that focuses on the terroir. Marelise says: “This wine is a tribute to all old vine Tinta Baroccas of South Africa, which for a long time have supported some beautifully fine 'red blends' but rarely got the recognition they deserve. A blend of three special vineyards all aged over 40 years - of origin Bot River, Stellenbosch and Swartland - grown on a soil combination of Bokkeveld shale, decomposed granite and clay."
Tasting notes: The wine has a seductive and complex nose with cherries, cassis, roses and cinnamon, complemented by porcini mushrooms and soy sauce. The balance between bright primary red fruit notes and savory notes is reminiscent of a high-quality Pinot Noir.
Winemaking: Natural and gentle winemaking procedures were followed in the cellar, allowing the vineyards to express themselves in the wine. The process involved 25% whole bunches and gentle dipping by hand, twice a day. After four weeks of maceration on the skins, the grapes were gently pressed with a basket press to ensure a delicate extraction. The wine was then aged for 16 months in old French oak barrels.
Specifications
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | South Africa |
| Region | Swartland |
| Appellation | Swartland (Appellation) |
| Winery | Momento |
| Grape | Tinta Barroca |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Drinking as of | 2020 |
| Drinking till | 2032 |
| Alcohol % | 13.5 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Tasting Profiles | Aromatic, Floral, Dry, Aged on wood, Powerful, Spicy, Rich, Round, Full, White fruit |
| Drink moments | Barbecue, Cadeau!, Lekker luxe, Met vrienden, Open haard |
Wijnhuis
Momento began in 2013 while Marelise Niemann was the winemaker at Beaumont Family Wines in Bot River. She has since become known for wines of purity, elegance and honesty, working with old vines in both Bot River and the Swartland - with a minimal intervention approach, putting terroir front and centre.
Her first vintage of Momento was two barrels of Grenache Noir, and since then her love for Grenache Noir has only grown. She now works with all three Grenache varieties, having added Grenache Blanc to the repertoire in 2019.
Now based at Anysbos, the farm next door to Gabrielskloof - where she spent four years alongside Crystallum and Thorne & Daughters - Marelise is becoming increasingly known as the champion of the variety.
The Grenache Noir and Gris have become critically acclaimed and prized examples over the past few vintages, as has the outlier of the range, a Tinta Barocca made in a style more like Pinot Noir.
Marelise’s fascination with Grenache all started after her time in the Priorat region in Spain, where, along with Eben Sadie, she was inspired by how the old vine fruit was used to make wine in a fresh and vibrant way. She returned to South Africa, determined to seek out old vine Grenache.
Marelise is passionate about working with grape varieties that are well suited to South Africa’s climate. That means vineyards that can handle low rainfall and high temperatures; that naturally fit in with the environment and don’t need excessive energy input. Chenin, Verdelho, the Grenaches and Tinta, all flourish in dry, warm conditions.