Great wines come from marginal terroirs and rugged sites and the unique stony and poor soils of Malgas offer just such a milieu. It is here that David Trafford and his team are producing the Sijnn wines from a plateau of slate and rolled stones that are reminiscent of the ‘galets’ found in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The recent vintages have rightly received excellent ratings from Wine Spectator and offer exciting drinking.
True to their pioneering spirit, Sijnn is South Africa’s only producer of Trincadeira (Tinta Amarela) – a Portuguese variety that is described as something of a heartbreak grape like Pinot Noir. With the aptly-named Off-Centre 2012, David has bottled a unique blend of Trincadeira and Mourvèdre. Fresh acidity mingles with crunchy red fruit and a powdery, spicy earthiness. Beautiful with food but wonderfully intriguing on its own, Off-Centre is an ethereal yet powerful wine with only 12.5% alcohol.
This is an extremely limited offer (6 bottles per order) on a wine that captures the quirky spirit and soul of this special site.
Free delivery on orders over R1,500 (main centres only). If you need any assistance, call us on 021 448 4105 (CT) or 011 027 9463 (JHB). View delivery charges .
Tasting notes
Sijnn Off-Centre 2012
A blend of 66.6% Trincadeira and 33.3% Mourvèdre. Light ruby with a dark garnet core, ripe meaty top notes (possibly from the Mourvèdre) follow to crushed red fruits, light spice and elegant Rhône-like ‘garrigue’. The meaty core ads weight, whilst the floral perfume offers charm. The wine has a delicious white-pepper edge, with bright freshness balancing the broad yet focussed palate. Wonderfully complex, this wine offers real intrigue. Drink now – 2022. – James Pietersen
Sijnn Syrah 2012
Well-packed, with a charcoal frame around the intense blueberry, blackberry and plum pâte de fruit flavors, creating a contrast in texture. A roasted apple wood note holds the finish. Still a bit primal, so let this mellow in the cellar. Best from 2016 through 2020. – Wine Spectator
Sijnn Red 2010
This has good range, with blueberry, loganberry and blackberry fruit pumping along, lined with texture-enhancing charcoal and roasted alder notes. Shows lots of briary grip through the finish, revealing a buried iron accent. Let this settle in the cellar for a bit. Shiraz, Mourvèdre, Touriga Nacional and Trincadeira. Best from 2015 through 2020. – Wine Spectator
Sijnn White 2013
Lifted floral notes, soft earthy aromas and ripe stone fruit follow to a textured palate, deftly framed by soft structure. The purity of fruit integrates with fine oak nuances and leads to a sumptuous and mineral end. Drink now – 2020. – James Pietersen
Sijnn Touriga Nacional 2012
Features polished blackberry, plum and blueberry fruit, with enticing grilled herb and tobacco notes and a flicker of iron. The elements are all melded together, carrying through the racy finish. Distinctive and lovely. Drink now through 2018. – Wine Spectator
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