A.A.Badenhorst, The Curator White Blend Swartland 2019

Product Description

Vinous Reverie Notes
Washington Post
“I have not made a secret of my love for the wines of Adi Badenhorst, especially his Secateurs chenin blanc, which I have reviewed here for several vintages and regard as a perennial “great value” at about $15. When I tasted the Curator, a blend of chenin blanc, chardonnay and Viognier, I thought it was a more expensive wine in Badenhorst’s line, but no, it is priced even lower. It floored me with its quality for the price, racy acidity, medium body, pure fruit unencumbered by oak. This is a “patio pounder,” a “table pounder,” whatever cliche you want to use for an exciting, inexpensive wine. Some stores may still have the 2016, which is also delicious, though the freshness of the 2017 adds extra excitement.”
The Swartland region is located on a mountain range, which is a granite outcrop. Three distinctive types of granitic soil are found in the area, specifically Paardeberg, Lammershoek and Lemoenfontein granites. The soils are extremely old and considered by many to be ‘low potential‘. Yields are generally quite low. No irrigation is used. Rainfall is around 480mm/year, falling mainly in the winter months of May – August/September. Winters tend to be cold and wet and leaf fall is quite sudden with the onset of each Winter. Otherwise, the weather is quite similar to that of a Mediterranean climate.