2016 Swartland Secateurs Chenin Blanc
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Tasting notes
Bright yellow-gold. Ripe but subtle scents of pineapple, anise and dusty wild herbs; one gets a sense of terroir here. A step up in energy and grip from the 2015 Curator, showing lovely salinity and fresh acidity, but less round and harmonious today, and still with a bit of unabsorbed CO2. This very dry, slightly disjointed Chenin Blanc has excellent density and material but needs a year or so to harmonize.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Neal Martin, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2016 Secateurs Chenin Blanc has a light beeswax and honeysuckle-scented bouquet that opens gradually with aeration. The palate is balanced but simple, with light crisp orange rind and mandarin notes, a dash of lemongrass towards the finish, although it just cuts away a little swiftly. Nevertheless, it still represents good value.
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.