A.A. Badenhorst

Back to basics with biological farming to make natural wines in the traditional manner

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FAMILY WHITE *201820.90
47% Chenin Blanc, 21% Grenache Blanc, 10% Viognier, 9% Roussanne 7% Palomino and 6% Semillon. The final makeup of the blend varies slightly each year, due to the variation in vintage. Chenin Blanc is best suited to be the heart of the wine and that is why it forms the biggest portion of the co-fermentation. The aromas are very complex and change considerably in the glass. Perfume, spice, tea, stone fruit and citrus blossoms are some of the notes that can be detected. In the mouth the texture and ripeness and gentle tannins result in a wine that has incredible length and a complex flavour profile. Matured in very old wood.
Platter: 94, Greg Sherwood: 94+, Tim Atkin: 93; WS: 92
FAMILY RED201820.90
56% Shiraz with Grenache Noir, Cinsault and Tinta Barocca. The wine is pressed into old 4000L vats and 8% new 600L casks for a maturation period of 16 months. This vintage will be quite reserved in its youth but will mature very well and evolve into its potential. The tannins are prominent, well-integrated and refreshing. The aromas are brooding but with complex notes of pepper, liquorice, perfume, and black cherries. The palate entry is quite dense with lavender and dark berry fruit. The finish is dry with well spread tannins ending with savoury and black currant.
Platter: 95, Greg Sherwood: 95, Tim Atkin: 93, WS: 91
FAMILY RED *201920.90
This is a medley of Syrah with 60% Grenache, Cinsault and Tinta Barocca from eight sites, showing black pepper, fynbos, blackberry and raspberry fruit, granitic tannins and a fresh, racy finish. 2022-28
Platter: 96  Tim Atkin: 94, WS: 92
CINSAULT RAMNASGRAS201920.15
This single vineyard was planted in the 1954 on decomposed granite soils. The wine possesses great fruit of the red spectrum, earthiness and some lovely spice. The palate is delicious in its transparency of fruit flavours, fair acid grip and gentle tannins. Slightly wooded.
Tim Atkin: 94, Platter: 94, Greg Sherwood: 94, Wine Spectator: 91
GRENACHE RAAIGRAS201937.65
This single vineyard was planted in 1952 on decomposed granite soils. It is said that this is the oldest Grenache vineyard in South Africa. The vineyard has an energy and presence about it while the vines are magnificent and low bearing. The soils are beautifully reflected in the wine with grainy, grippy tannins. Delicate, pure aromas lead to a palate with deep, intense fruit & serious tannin-acid structure. Potential for long development with only little wood influence.
Platter: 95, Greg Sherwood: 95, Tim Atkin: 94, Wine Spectator: 92