Grenache Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Roussanne, Viognier
75cl * 13% ABV * Swartland, South Africa
Wine runs in Adi Badenhorst's veins: his grandfather was a grower in Constantia and his father worked at the Buitenverwachting estate, where Adi made his first wine at the age of 13. Now based in Swartland, he is part of South Africa's New Wave of 'trad-experimentalist' winemaking.
Kalmoesfontein is a true expression of its place and a great field blend of the best white grapes that South Africa can produce. Made and aged with care and deliberation, in particular micro-oxygenation in its aging to help develop body and complexity, the wine is voluminous in both aromas and flavour profiles. Aromatics of floral notes, tea, spice, white stone fruit and citrus blossoms. This leads to a unctuous mouthfeel with a weighty texture and flavours of fruits citrus and stone fruits in particular and a lovely minerality so indicative of wines of South Africa. A great length to this wine on the finish.
Pair with creamed spinach, asparagus and grilled cheese topped with an egg, broccoli and stilton soup. Or perhaps a cheese soufflé or a bit of chicken cooked in a lemon and herb cream sauce.
96 Points, Christian Eedes, winemag.co.za, April 2023, 'Predominantly from Chenin Blanc and Grenache Blanc but typically includes many other varieties picked, pressed and fermented together. Captivating aromatics of white and yellow fruit, potpourri, herbs, earth and spice while the palate has great fruit definition, punchy acidity. Not without power, this is a wine of breadth, depth and length. Plenty of detail.