AA Badenhorst, Golden Slopes, 2021

Saline Mineral, Lime Blossom, Dusty Yellow Cherry

South Africa / White / Chenin Blanc / Sustainable

The grapes come from head-trained, dry-land bush vines planted in 1966–1968 on the yellow granite slopes of the Kalmoesfontein estate at 300 m above sea level. Hand-harvested fruit is partially destemmed, foot-stomped and gently pressed before spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts. After a brief maceration on the skins, the wine is racked to large foudres for 12 months of elevage on fine lees without bâtonnage, fining or filtration, with minimal SO₂ added at bottling. The result is a taut, textured Chenin Blanc defined by its saline minerality, citrus lift and dusty yellow-cherry fruit profile.

Notes on the producer

Cousins Hein and Adi Badenhorst spearheaded the so-called “Swartland Revolution” by reviving the long-abandoned Kalmoesfontein estate in the early 2000s. Committed to sustainable viticulture, they farm indigenous bush vines dry-landed on ancient granite soils and work by gravity flow in a purpose-built cellar. Their minimalist cellar philosophy—spontaneous ferments, large foudre aging and minimal SO₂—allows the character of each parcel to shine. Since their first releases in 2010, A.A. Badenhorst Family Wines has become synonymous with terroir-driven Chenin Blanc and Rhône-style blends from the Swartland