Badenhorst 2010 Secateurs Red

Adi Badenhorst is showing himself to be an ingenious winemaker and a by-the-bootstraps winery owner. His vineyards in Paardesberg in Swartland, South Africa, are reclaimed from a defunct 1930’s winery. His winery is serviceable but nothing fancy. He doesn’t irrigate or spray his  28 hectares of 40+-year-old vines.  I’m not even sure if he owns any farm equipment except for a truck and some bins.

This wine is a Rhone-style blend, with about three-quarters Syrah. The rest is varying amounts of Cinsault, Grenache, Carignan, and Mourvedre.  After fermentation in cement tanks, it is aged in older French barrels for over a year.

Smoke and wet earth on the nose, with an impression of black cherry and fig. Medium-bodied, with fresh dark fruit and baking spices on the palate. Dried fruit on the finish, with a bit of tobacco smoke and sweet basil.  Very nice.  Try with  Carolina-style BBQ and dry-rubbed pork chops.