On the way back from the party and our overnight stay in Hemel and Aarde,
we stopped off at Barton Wine estate, which we have been meaning to visit for a
long time; it has been closed on the previous occasions we have tried. It is in
the Bot River wine ward, but all is not what it seems. Cellarmaster
viticulturist PJ Geyer has now left and owners Annie and Suzie Neill are living
in the UK. There is still some Barton wine on the farm to taste and buy,
however. The farm has been leased to Villion wines and they are about to
renovate the tasting room. We had a very pleasant tasting of Villion wines with
Chanel van der Berg and a tasting of the Barton Rosé. The Villion wines are made by
Kobie Viljoen, previously winemaker at Gabriëlskloof, and all the grapes are
bought in
Just to amuse you, we want you to know that this tasting was truly
collaborative. Lynne's palate has been shot by two strong antibiotics
(temporary, we hope) and John had a nasty cold, so he couldn't smell much. So
words (nose) and music (flavour) are by us both! a first ever; concerto..
The line-up of the wines we tasted. Prices range
from R150 to R200 a bottle. A creamy soft and sweet Chenin blanc from 34 year-old Bot River vines; lots of vanilla oak with peaches and naartjies. R190. The
2016 Chardonnay is lightly wooded, with a pretty golden nose, with peaches,
sweet on entry with long flavours and gentle wooding. R180. The 2016 Blanc de
Atlantic is a blend of 68% Viognier, 22% Chardonnay & 10% Bot River Chenin.
Apricots, peaches and cream and soft wood on the nose, sweet and hot on the
palate with 14.5% alcohol. Full of orange naartjie and yellow cling peach
deliciousness. R170
The very young and fresh, with raspberries on the
nose, Barton Rosé, from lightly pressed Pinot Noir is a bargain at R70 a
bottle. Tastes of strawberries and cream, good for summer enjoyment. 12.5%
alcohol
More of the Villion wines. The Pinot Noir has
vanilla oak, rose petals and rich dark berry fruit on the nose. Savoury on the
palate, with cooked strawberry and cola tonic. The 2016 Syrah was our favourite
wine of the tasting. Savoury from the small amount of Mourvedre added, with
violets, spice, dark cherry, and elegance on the big nose. There is also a soupçon
of Viognier added and this comes across with the soft sweet fruit, lots of
spice, ripe juicy black cherries, some red berries and black pepper and
cinnamon which even Lynne could taste. R150. The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon R200
is classic Cabernet on the nose with cassis berries and green leaves and some
violets. Warm cassis and vanilla, raspberry fruit, length, elegance and dark
toasted wood on the end
The current tasting room at Barton, due
for a revamp soon
The price list
© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2018
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