2009 A. A. Badenhorst Family White Blend, Swartland
Critics reviews
Neal Martin - 31/08/2011
About this WINE
A. A. Badenhorst
Andre Adriaan Badenhorst’s grandfather was the general manager at Groot Constantia wine estate for 46 years. His father was born there and farmed on neighboring Buitenverwachting and Constantia Uitsig for many years. Adi grew up between the vineyards and spent his time picking (stealing) grapes. “It all started when Jean Daneel, then winemaker at Buitenverwachting, let me make my first wine when I was thirteen,” Adi recalls.
After completing his studies at Elsenburg, Adi worked a few harvests at Chateau Angelus, Alain Graillot in the north Rhone, France and Wither Hills in New Zealand and did stints at local cellars Simonsig, Steenberg, Groote Post and nine years as winemaker at the esteemed Stellenbosch estate, Rustenberg.
In 2008 he packed it all in and bought a 60-hectare piece of land in the Paardeberg with his cousin Hein. They now proudly farm together, practice biological farming and make natural wines in the traditional manner, vinifying in old foudres and cement vats.
On Kalmoesfontein it is back to basics, using traditional winemaking equipment and old cement vats.. “We make wines with immense character. We’re using what we can afford. We are making the best wines we can. And we are having great experiences. I want to make something, involving interaction from my family.”
Today Adi Badenhorst is an award winning winemaker, member of the Cape Winemakers Guild, and one of the growers who is really putting the Swartland region on the map as a source of fine wine.
Other Varieties
There are over 200 different grape varieties used in modern wine making (from a total of over 1000). Most lesser known blends and varieties are traditional to specific parts of the world.
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Description
This is a fascinating wine. Made by the irrepressible Adi Badenhorst in the Swartland from a mind-blowing ten varieties, it already has five years of age and is showing beautifuly now. The lemon-gold colour initially suggests that this is not a shy retiring wallflower of a wine. The nose is reminiscent of toasted hazelnuts with notes of ripe lemon coming through and the palate... Where to begin with the palate? It is full of weight and interest.
Notes of tangerine from the Roussanne mix with the warmth of Viognier and the waxy character of Chenin Blanc and Semillon. An usual, almost sherry-esque pervades the wine which, along with the lovely, long and fresh finish, binds the whole together beautifully. Quite unique, this is an enticing and absorbing wine experience. The blend comprises: 29% Chenin Blanc, 23% Roussane, 11% Viognier, 11% Chardonnay, 10% Grenache Blanc, 5% Colombard, 5% Grenache Gris, 2% Semillon, 2% Verdelho, 2% Clairette Blanche.
Catriona Felstead MW, Wine Buyer
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