A. A. Badenhorst
Secateurs Red Blend – 2024
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
Estate mountain-slope vineyards in Paardeberg, Swartland.
- Altitude: 590-1082 feet/180-330 meters
- Exposure: North, East, South
- Soils: Paadebert, Lammershoek & Lemoenfontein granite with clay, weathered granite & shale
- Vine Age: average 31 years
- Vine Training System: Bush
Harvest Notes
- Each variety hand harvested and chilled overnight
- Crushed into open concrete tanks and varieties cofermented using only native yeast
- Tanks foot-stomped twice daily
- Blended wine transferred to casks, foudres and & concrete tanks
- Aged 7 months on gross lees
Winemaker's Notes
Secateurs are the tools that shape the bush vines during winter pruning and are used to pick the ripe grapes during harvest. For the last three generations, the Badenhorst family has nurtured their estate vines so that they consistently produce fruit of integrity.
Each variety used in the blend brings its own characteristics to the wine. The Shiraz is spicy and perfumey. Cabernet adds red fruit and structure. The Cinsault is excellent for its aging capability but also has enough suppleness to drink the wine young. Peppery, spicy and ripe red fruit aromas lead to a smooth, supple palate with texture and length.
Wine Summary
84% Shiraz, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cinsault; alcohol: 13% ; mountain-slope vineyards in Paardeberg, Swartland; bush trained vines grown in a variety of granite soils average 31 years old; each variety hand harvested and chilled overnight; crushed into open-top concrete tanks and cofermented for about 2 weeks using only native yeast; foot-stomped twice daily; blended wine aged in casks, foudres and concrete tanks for 7 months on gross lees.
Technical Information
- 84% Shiraz, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cinsault
- Alcohol: 13%
- Total Acidity: 5.1 g/l
- pH: 3.77
- Residual Sugar: 2.16 g/l
Reviews
91 Points
Bright and fruity, showing strawberry, raspberry, tea-leaf, licorice and pink-peppercorn aromas. Medium-bodied, youthful and delightful with fine tannins and a fresh finish. A blend of shiraz, grenache and cinsault. Delicious now. Screw cap.
jamessuckling.com, October, 2024
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 |