A.A.Badenhorst Secateur Swartland Chenin Blanc

Estate Chenin planted in the 1960’s was complemented by fruit harvested from a Badenhorst neighbor. The grapes were harvested in the early morning hours over the course of 12-14 days; each day the free-run juice from the previous day was added to the fermenting must, the result of which was an extended fermentation of 20 days. The wine fermented in tank, but a small percentage was fermented in neutral oak casks. Secateurs remained on its gross lees for seven months with periodic battonage before it was bottled unfined and unfiltered. The old vines produce healthy berries with concentration and balance. The extended lees contact lends a complexity and silkiness to the wine that nicely integrates with racy acidity and pretty notes of ripe stone fruit, acacia and honey. Secateurs is Adi Badenhorst’s more accessible range and fittingly, named after the shears used by vineyard workers to harvest the grapes. The Secateurs red and Rose are both blends, but the white is 100% Chenin Blanc. The estate grapes are complemented by fruit from local growers, which adds additional complexity and diversity to the blends. Adi Badenhorst is an award winning winemaker, a member of the Cape Winemakers Guild as well as a founding member of the Swartland Revolution and Swartland Independent.

TastingNotesBright, light yellow. Peachy fruit salad and spice aromas are enlivened by grapefruit pith. Rich and silky, with a slightly sweet impression nicely countered by harmonious acidity. Round and fairly full in the mouth and still a bit youthfully aggressive. Finishes nicely dry, with hints of ripe stone fruits and quince.

FoodPairingAsian cuisine, pork chops, Sweet and sour chicken, salads.