A. A. Badenhorst
Grensloos Chenin Blanc – 2023
Region: South Africa - Swartland
A. A. Badenhorst
Adi Badenhorst grew up among the vineyards of Groot Constantia, where his grandfather served as general manager for 46 years. As a child, Adi spent his days picking (and occasionally stealing) grapes and made his first wine at the age of thirteen, with renowned winemaker Jean Daneel. Adi studied at Elsenburg, then went to work harvest at Chateau
Angelus & Alain Graillot in France, Wither Hills in NZ and locally at Simonsig, Steenberg & Groote Post. He spent nine years as winemaker at the esteemed Stellenbosch estate, Rustenberg.
In 2008, Adi and his cousin Hein bought a 148 acre (60 ha) piece of land in the Swartland appellation, and A.A. Badenhorst Family Wines was born. Since its inception, the cousins have remained committed to the tenets of the family estate: to practice biological farming and make natural wines in the traditional manner. Over time they have aquired more vineyards and today farm 395 acres (160 ha).
The Wine
Vineyard Profile
2 single vineyards on the farm Jakkalsfontein and Kalmoesfontein, Paardesberg, Swartland.
- Altitude: 590-1082 feet/180-330 meters
- Soil: Decomposed granite with yellow granite and small amount of clay
- Vines Planted: 1966-1978
- Vine Training System: Bush/Goblet
Harvest Notes
- Hand harvested, cooled overnight if needed
- Whole bunch pressed
- Fermented in oak 1200 liter French oak foudres & small concrete tanks with only indigenous yeast
- Wine left on lees 10 months
- Bottled after 12 months aging
Winemaker's Notes
Grensloos – Without boundary. The name of the wine was inspired by the Jakkalsfontein road, which serves as a watershed boundary. The Jakkalsfontein road running up the base of the Paardeberg separates our two properties Kalmoesfontein and Jakkalsfontein.
Some struck-match reduction before pear, peach, citrus, hay and fynbos on the nose. The palate shows great clarity of fruit and fresh acidity. Layers and layers of flavor on the long finish.
Wine Summary
100% Chenin Blanc; alcohol: 13.5%; 2 estate vineyards in Kalmoesfontein and Jakkalsfontein, Paardesberg, Swartland; , across the road from oneanother; vines over 40 years old; planted in decomposed granite; grapes whole cluster pressed; fermented using only indigenous yeast in 1200 liter, old French oak foudres and small concrete tanks; aged on lees 10 months; bottled after aging 12 months.
Technical Information
- 100% Chenin Blanc
- Alcohol: 13.5%
- Total Acidity: 5.6 g/l
- pH: 3.33
- Residual Sugar: 2.3 g/l
Reviews
95 Points
The first vintage of this wine, a blend of chenin blanc from the property (previously bottled as single-vineyard wines Skool, Golden Slopes, Klip Kop, Kelder). Sliced pears, honey, chamomile, wildflowers, lemons, salted almonds and seaweed make for an aromatically complex, intense and flavorful wine. It’s full-bodied, creamy and layered. Delicious and very fresh too. From vines planted from 1968 to 1971. Drink or hold.
jamessuckling.com, October, 2024
95 Points
Made with fruit from certified heritage vines, the A. A. Badenhorst Family Wines 2023 Swartland Grensloos Chenin Blanc strikes a beautiful balance between intensity and elegance. There is nothing excessive on the bouquet, where elements of stone fruit, saffron and crushed stone converge smoothly to add to the wine’s nuanced appeal. The Grensloos provides a beautiful window onto the purity of the grape. The wine is finely textured with medium-bodied appeal and laced with mineral definition throughout. 2024 – 2035
© Wine Advocate, June, 2025
92 Points
The 2023 Chenin Blanc Grensloos is a new addition to the range. Grensloos translates to “without borders.” This cuvée comprises several vineyards, around 30% from Jakkobsfontein on deep red gravel soils, matured in concrete and 400-liter casks. It has a beautifully defined bouquet of yellow fruit and hints of dried honey. The palate is well defined with a fine bead of acidity and touches of peach skin, quince, white pepper and fennel. Very harmonious and poised, this is a superb debut. 2024 -2032
Vinous, August, 2024
96 Points
Grensloos rounds up all of Adi Badenhorst’s single vineyard sites, most of which used to be bottled on their own. Using grapes from five sites on Jakkalsfontein and Kalmoesfontein, it’s very gently wooded in foudres and concrete tanks, with lots of leesy richness, stony concentration and layers of beeswax, white flowers, honey and citrus. More than the sum of its parts. 2025 – 2035
Tim Atkin MW-timatkin.com, December, 2024
90 Points
A harmonious version, finely meshed and lightly mouthwatering, with a lightly zesty feel to the flavors of ripe nectarine fruit, lime pith, green almond and graham cracker, plus hints of grated ginger, white pepper and stone. Drink now through 2031.
Wine Spectator, March, 2026
General Info
| COUNTRY | South Africa |
| REGION | Coastal |
| APPELLATION | Swartland |
| PROPRIETORS | Adi & Hein Badenhorst (cousins) |
| FOUNDED | 2008 |
| WINEMAKERS | Adi Badenhorst, Selma Willemse & Jorrie du Plesis |
| ANNUAL PRODUCTION | 30,000 9L cases |