AA Badenhorst Family Wines Wine NV

Producer

AA Badenhorst Family Wines are made on the Kalmoesfontein farm in the Paardeberg area of the Swartland district. Kalmoesfontein is translated as Calamus Fountain. Calamus is a type of tall perennial wetland reed with scented leaves, common to the area. The farm was bought by cousins Hein and Adi Badenhorst who were both originally from Constantia. The two have completely restored the farm which was built in the 1800s, including the neglected cellar that was last used in the 1930s. They currently make five wines: a red and a white under the Secateurs label, and three under the AA Badendhorst Family wines label. A red, a white and an unusual solera aged white wine – which is simply bottled as ‘wine’.

It is the latter that I have chosen as my wine of the week, whilst I recommend trying all of the wines, the NV Solera is the most interesting. It is primarily a blend of Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Viognier (accounting for around 80% of the wine) with the rest being made up of a blend of eight other varieties! They wine is kept under a Solera system which has been running since 2007. The wine, like a Vin Jaune or a Sherry, develops Flor in the barrels, and they fill around 500 bottles per year. For more information on Solera or Flor have a look at my Sherry page.

Even more unusual developments are underway at Badenhorst with a “sherry” project using Palomino, Verdelho and Chenin Blanc.

Tasting Note

Flower Day

The ‘Wine’ from Badenhorst has a lovely aroma of tropical fruit, particularly showing off gorgeous notes of passion-fruit and kiwi, these are backed up by almonds and sweet spice. The palate is intense with an elegant body and lovely firm acidity, the complex assortment of flavours include hay, spice, nuts and peach. The finish is long, silky and very creamy.

June 2011