“AA Badenhorst Family Wines White Blend ” is quite a mouthful of a name.
The list of varieties, too: Chenin Blanc, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Verdehlo, Colombar, Viognier, Chardonnay, Semillon and 3 others that probably cannot be mentioned because they technically do not exist in South Africa (according to the authorities).
The wine itself is also quite a mouthful. Born and bred in the Swartland, the Family White is a precise wine, the usual “ag, we just threw everything together and really didn’t know what was gonna happen” by Adi Badenhorst will not fly here. Every single bottle (and we have sampled quite a few in the name of research, of course) is a testament to precision: There may be more than 10 varietals in the blend, but they all have their small role to play. Every nuance you taste is not there by accident. Multi-layered on the palate, textured, rich and at the same time gentle and creamy. This is the older Angelina Jolie: Still a little left of center, but mature, elegant; sometimes playful but always intelligent. The lady who wears pearls with her leather pants.
AA Badenhorst Family White may be a tad pricey for a few (R250) – this is a case of “drink smarter, drink better”. One sip, and you won’t think about the cost, only the next sip…
www.aabadenhorst.com for all the technical mumbo jumbo on vinification.