A.A. Badenhorst Family Wines White Blend 2020

Alcohol: 13%

Grape(s): Chenin Blanc, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc and Gris, Verdehlo, Colombar, Viognier, Chardonnay, Semillon 

Localization: Swartland, South Africa

Tasting Notes: The vintage is the 13th release of the Family Red, and exceeded expectations in terms of quality and fruit expression. The aromas are brooding but complex, with notes of pepper, licorice, perfume, and black cherries. The palate is dense with lavender and dark berry fruit, with prominent, well-integrated, and refreshing tannins. The finish is dry, ending with savory and black currant flavors.

Notes: The vinification is quite straight forward when you are working with fantastic grapes from old vineyards whole bunch pressing of cool grapes, this juice is then transferred to very old casks for fermentation and maturation. Some varieties are blended very early or even co-fermented for early integration. A small percentage of the grapes are picked a bit earlier for some acidity but the rest are picked at what we reckon is a good ripeness and flavor.

The Domain: AA Badenhorst Family Wines are grown, made, and matured on Kalmoesfontein farm in the Swartland appellation of South Africa. The 28 hectares of old bush vines grow in the Siebritskloof part of the Paardeberg mountain.

The property is owned by the dynamic and good-looking cousins Hein and Adi Badenhorst. They are originally from Constantia. Their grandfather was the farm manager of Groot Constantia for 46 years. Their fathers were born there and farmed together in Constantia, during the days when people still ate fresh vegetables and Hanepoot grapes, drank Cinsault and there were a lot fewer traffic lights and hippies still had a presence. Together these two have restored a neglected cellar on the farm that was last used in the 1930s to make natural wines in the traditional manner.