Boplaas Tinta Barocca 2023

Boplaas Family Vineyards is a historic family-owned estate in Calitzdorp, in the Klein Karoo, with a winemaking history dating back to 1880. The estate has become particularly closely associated with Portuguese grape varieties, which thrive in the region's warm, dry Mediterranean-style climate and naturally lower water requirements. The story of Boplaas Tinta Barocca began with a happy case of mistaken identity. The Nel family originally believed the vines planted at Boplaas were Shiraz, only to discover through ampelography that they were actually Tinta Barocca. That discovery led the family to explore Portugal and ultimately shaped Boplaas's specialisation in Portuguese varieties. Today, sixth-generation winemaker Margaux Nel continues this tradition, building on the work of her father, Carel Nel. The 2023 Tinta Barocca is hand-harvested in the cool of the morning and fermented in open-top cement fermenters, known as kuipe or lagares, with manual punch-downs. It is then matured for 10 months in third- and fourth-fill French oak barrels. The older oak provides texture and gentle spice without obscuring the distinctive character of the grape.

Colour: Deep ruby red with youthful purple highlights.
Nose: Ripe plum and mulberry lead the aromatics, followed by juicy raspberry and subtle spice. A distinctive hint of cocoa powder sits beneath the fruit, giving the wine an appealing savoury depth.
Palate: Medium-bodied and generous, with juicy plum, mulberry and raspberry flavours. Soft tannins give the wine a smooth, rounded texture, while bright acidity keeps the fruit fresh. Gentle spice and a subtle cocoa character add complexity without making the wine feel heavy.
Finish: Smooth and pleasantly lingering, with ripe berry fruit, spice and a delicate cocoa note.