Secateurs Chenin Blanc 2023, AA Badenhorst Family Wines, Paardberg

Struck rock, clotted cream and orange blossom, just ripe greengage and honeydew melon, with a lightly creamy, leesy palate and zingy, white peppery finish. A proper treat from the master.

Adi Badenhorst is the one of the most exciting winemakers in South Africa. He is also the most frustrating. His laid back, self-deprecating, playful manner keeps you guessing and makes you wonder whether he has any idea what he is actually doing, whether he just chucks some grapes into a vat and hopes for the best, but we know full well that there is a huge amount of expertise that goes on behind closed doors, when no one is around to witness his skill and diligence …and spoil his reputation!

The grapes are hand picked with great care and chilled overnight in a cold room. The following day they are whole bunch pressed to a settling tank. These vineyards were picked over a period of 12 days and each day fresh juice was added to the already fermenting tanks – this extended the alcoholic fermentation by about 20 days but was also very important in the comple te integration of the wine as all the various vineyards or components were fermented together. Some of the juice is also ferm ented in older casks and big foudres; around 25% of the total.