Secateurs Badenhorst Glensloos Chenin Blanc 2023

Located 65 km north of Cape Town in the Western Cape, Swartland offers a varied topography with both plains and mountain ranges. The area's warm and dry climate minimizes disease in the vines, resulting in fewer but more concentrated grapes. The vines are grown as "bushwines" with deep roots that efficiently utilize the soil's water reserves.

AA Badenhorst Family Wines is produced and aged on the Kalmoesfontein farm in the Swartland. The 28 hectares of old bush vines are located near the Paardeberg mountain. The winery is owned by Hein and Adi Badenhorst, originally from Constantia. Adi, who made his first wine at the age of 13, has worked at Château Angelus in Saint Emilion and Alain Graillot in the Rhône. They acquired the winery in 2008 and produce natural wines according to organic principles, where fermentation takes place in cement vats and open wooden barrels, followed by aging in large 4000 liter wooden barrels.

The grapes come from Badenhorst's own fields as well as from some of the neighbor's fields on the northern side of the Paardeberg mountain. The vines were planted in the 1960s and 1970s. The wine is characterized by its straight, mineral and fruity profile with flavor notes of honey, citrus and white stone fruits.

Swartland AA. Badenhorst Family Wines – Grensloos (Glensloos) Chenin Blanc 2023 — a modern and expressive white wine from Swartland, South Africa, produced by the Badenhorst family under energetic winemaker Adi Badenhorst.

Producer & Background

This featured cuvée, "Grensloos" (meaning "without borders"), brings together Chenin Blanc grapes from several single-field plots in Jakkalsfontein and Kalmoesfontein, including famous parcels such as Golden Slopes and Kelder.

The grapes come from old bush vines, grown with organic and biologically responsible practices

Vinification & Style

Hand-harvested and chilled overnight. Whole bunches are pressed, followed by spontaneous fermentation in concrete and used 400 l foudres. The wine is then aged without fining or filtering

The adaptation of the barrel and concrete, as well as minimal intervention, results in a wine that authentically displays the grape's terroir and texture.

Fragrance Profile & Taste Experience

Aroma: Elegant and complex with aromas of pears, stone fruit, honey, white tea, as well as floral and mineral notes of flint and biwax.

Taste: Rich and velvety in texture, with intensity and minerality, interplay between ripe apricots and quince, with a hint of white pepper, nutmeg and Szechuan pepper before a fine and saline finish

Several reviews rate it highly:

Lobenberg: 95/100 – highlighting its fruit richness, minerality and timed complexity.

Tim Atkin MW: 96/100 – highlights the wine as "Wine of the Year" in the Chenin Blanc category

Technical Details & Drinking Time

Alcohol: Approximately 13.5%

Storage potential: Recommended to be enjoyed between 2025 and 2035–38 , where the complexity will have the opportunity to unfold

Food Match & Serving

Ideal companion to seafood , grilled fish , creamy risottos, elegant Asian dishes and young goat cheese. The wine has enough acidity and texture to balance both fat and umami notes

Serve at approximately 12–13 °C for optimal balance between freshness and aroma development.

Extra insight

Badenhorst, and especially this Grensloos vintage, is often highlighted in wine communities as one of South Africa's most distinctive Chenin expressions. One user writes, among other things:

“Badenhorst chenin + single vineyard cinsault” as a true representative of the Swartland style

In short: Glensloos/Grensloos Chenin Blanc 2023 is a remarkable white wine for those seeking terroir-driven, complex and elegant Chenin from the Swartland—great quality, finesse and Nordic gastronomic compatibility.