2010 Swartland Secateurs Chenin Blanc
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Tasting notes
Fermented naturally in concrete tanks, the 2010 Secateurs Chenin Blanc has a fresh, vibrant bouquet with orange blossom, Clementine and pressed white flowers. The palate is clean on the entry with a very natural feel. It is underpinned by racy acidity and light flavours of lemon peel, melon and honeysuckle that dovetail towards a refined, refreshing finish. For its price, this comes highly recommended. Drink now-2015. Adi Badenhorst is a name to drop when it comes to the future of South African wine. Along with Eben Sadie, he has been at the forefront of putting Swartland on the map. On the surface he has a devil-may-care attitude but underneath is a gifted winemaker who now suffuses his wines with that all-important ingredient. Personality. His winery located in Paardeberg, might look a bit cobbled together, but the wines that he vinifies from his 28-hectares of bush vine are individual and uncompromising?and delicious. Importer: Broadbent Selections Inc., San Francisco, Cali. Tel 415-292-8466.
Critic scores
Average Score
Tamlyn Currin, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Sleek nose. Lots of polished honeyed fruit with a dash of bruised apple. Interesting wine! (The 2009 was a Wine of the week .) GV (JR)
100% Chenin Blanc. RS 5.8 g/l, TA 6.6 g/l, pH 3.36. Adi Badenhorst describes his Secateurs range as 'the world's smallest cooperative'. The Chenin comes from 10 to 15 different vineyards ranging from 35- to 50-year-old vines. They pick over a period of two weeks, and slowly fill up the concrete fermentation vats. What doesn't fit goes into some 'old stolen barrels'. When they start picking, the berries are at about 11-12% potential alcohol and by the time they finish they are bringing in berries with 14%. Gorgeous nose, vibrant and intense, tangerine and fudge. Really quite stunning vibrancy on the palate. Richness, vivid fruit, satsuma, light honey notes, and all carved into sharp detail by a scalpel of acidity. Exuberant and packed with energy – a party in the mouth. Absolute pleasure from start to finish. VVGV (TC)
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.