Sarah Ahmed – The Wine Detective

Ex-Rustenberg man Adi Badenhorst’s Paardeberg Rhone blends, white and red, were one of my finds of the 2008 Cape Fair (see here).  A A Badenhorst Family Red 2006 received plenty of plaudits when I showed it at my “Cape Rhone blends with a twist tasting” last summer (reported here).  The only grievance?  That it wasn’t available on these shores.  Well good news! South African specialist importers Swig have recently added Adi’s wines to their list.

Even better, at the Specialist Importers’ Trade Tasting last week, I got my mits on a pair of Secateurs, Adi’s entry level white and red (hmm looks like Adi has lost a pair of secateurs in the picture).  As Adi puts it, Secateurs come from the world’s smallest co-op, its sole members comprising Adi and his neighbour.  My March Wines of the Month, Secateurs white and red are quite simply knock out value for money for this level of complexity.

A A Badenhorst Secateurs White 2009 – 90% Chenin Blanc cropped at a measly 2.5t/acre, it shows bright tropical fruit, flowers, honey and aniseed – the latter a characteristic trait of old vine Paardeberg Chenin, as is the underlying minerality and balancing freshness.  Rich and ripe but it’s no cloy boy.  As for the winemaker, he’s no coy boy – I quote from the website here “the property is owned by the dynamic and good looking cousins Hein and Adi Badenhorst….” RRP £8.50, contact Swig

A A Badenhorst Secateurs Red 2007 – a co-fermented blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Merlot, Carignan, Cinsault and Grenache, this is earthy and dark – liquorice not aniseed, with round and fleshy bonfire toffee-edged plum and blackberry fruit.  Should be on every self-respecting sausage and mash serving gastro pub’s wine list.  RRP £9.50, contact Swig