A.A. Badenhorst Secateurs Chenin Blanc 2025
A.A. Badenhorst Secateurs Chenin Blanc
Region: Swartland, Coastal Region, South Africa
Vintage: 2025
Bottle size: 75cl
Grape: Chenin Blanc
ABV: 13.5%
Secateurs Chenin Blanc opens with flinty aromas layered with honey, orange blossom, and white stone fruit. On the palate, it is textured and saline, with a fine mineral thread and vibrant acidity. There is lovely concentration, which is clearly expressed in the wine’s depth, balance, and lingering finish.
The Chenin Blanc for Secateurs is sourced from 25 distinct vineyard parcels located in and around the Paardeberg Mountain in the Swartland. These sites are predominantly planted on decomposed granite soils, which contribute to the wine’s mineral tension and finesse. The blend comprises 80% old and young dry land bush vines, prized for their low yields and concentrated fruit, and 20% younger trellised vineyards, which offer vibrancy and structure. This combination of vineyard age, aspect, and soil type delivers a wine with depth, texture, and a clear expression of the Swartland.
The grapes are destemmed and gently pressed, with the juice undergoing natural settling before fermentation. Fermentation occurs spontaneously with native yeasts, across a range of vessels including 40-hectolitre foudres, concrete tanks, stainless steel, and old 500-litre French oak barriques. Malolactic fermentation is not controlled—some components complete it, while others do not, contributing to the wine’s layered texture and freshness. After maturation, the wine is blended proportionally from all components to achieve balance and complexity before bottling.
Neal Martin describes Adi Badenhorst as someone who “epitomises the carefree spirit that pervades the [Swartland] region”, a phrase that still doesn’t do justice to a man whose personality is as characterful as the wines he makes. Adi founded A.A. Badenhorst Family Wines in the Paardeberg with his cousin Hein in 2008. He is a champion of attentive farming and minimal intervention winemaking to convey an authentic expression of the Swartland in his wines.