2010 Family White Blend
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
33% Chenin Blanc, 14% Grenache Blanc, 14% Verdelho, 11% Roussanne, 7% Viognier, 7% Smillon, 6% Grenache Gris, 5% Clairette, 3% Colombard. Adi’s first 5 Star award from the Platter Guide. The Chenin dominates the nose and then there is an unruly rabble of ingredients clamouring for attention underneath. At the moment a little bitter on the end – not unpleasantly so – and a second bottle was much fresher and less evolved than the first. Hint of quinine. Muscular. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
A blend of several varieties. Broad and with great depth and interest. Full bodied but with good, well-⁞integrated acidity. Very very fruity and deep flavoured. Off dry. Lots of vibrant freshness. A story to tell! (JR)
Aged in 60-year old foudres, the 2010 Family White Blend has a light bouquet that is missing some fruit concentration and even with constant aeration it remains tight-lipped. The palate has a light, beeswax entry but it fails to really build and the finish does not have the depth of the Secateurs Chenin Blanc or the 2009 White Blend. Tasted twice...with consistent, perplexed notes. Adi Badenhorst is the charismatic winemaker who alongside Eben Sadie has put Swartland on the map. Outspoken, opinionated and talented, his charisma rubs off upon the wines he creates. Moreover, they are available at extremely affordable prices and serve as a perfect introduction to the delights of Adi’s and Swartland’s wines. Importer: Broadbent Selections, San Francisco, CA; tel. (415) 931-1725
About the producer
Adi Badenhorst was one of the original pioneers of South Africa’s New Wave. Based up on the Paardeberg, he uses a hands-off approach to craft expressive wines and spirits in the Swartland – from his moreish Capéritif to single-site Chenin Blanc, Cinsault and Grenache.