2013 A.A. Badenhorst Family Wines, Red Blend, Coastal Region, South Africa.
The 2013 Badenhorst Family Red is a unique South African wine from near Swaartland in the Coastal Region and it is crafted from most old vine Shiraz, Grenache, Cinsault and a little Tinta Barocca. This vintage shows terroir, cooling southern ocean influence and rocky bush vine landscapes mark this wonderful wine, giving vitality and life force with a cascade of red, black and blue fruits, sage/peppercorn spiciness and earthy/loamy stony notes, it is bright and well defined, but has plenty of density and mouth feel to please and intrigue the palate leading with spiced plum, black raspberry, kirsch and boysenberry fruits along with lavender salt, peppery rosemary, mineral infused rock and a touch of game and anise seed. Well balanced and deep, it is a charming Chateauneuf du Pape or Gigondas like red that delivers wonderful layers of flavor in a hedonistic way and rewards further with food, especially more rustic and robust cuisine choices, from lamb to moussaka. The fruit is opulent and it has sweet tannin, but the spice is tangy/fiery and the savory elements give poise and contrast, this so far is favorite Badenhorst wine, even though I like the Chenin based offerings too, imported to the US by Broadbent Selections, I highly recommend checking it out, as well as the whites and lower end wines too, they are great values and interesting wines also. Drink this beautiful Family Red by Badenhorst over the next 3 to 5 years, there are a lot of new and thrilling wines coming out of South Africa these days, and this one is a great place to start!
($36 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive
