2011Badenhorst2011 Badenhorst, Family Red, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
The A.A. Badenhorst Family Wines Proprietary Red 2011 is a revelation, this stunning cuvee is on par with many fine Chateauneuf-du-Pape at twice the price, this effort deserves lots of merit and is just another sign of just how far South Africa has come in recent years, especially with unique Rhone style wines. This Badenhorst and the Sadie Family wines just blew me away, no question this is a complete revolution and a dramatic new era in which young winemakers are thriving in, South Africa is certainly a special wine growing region and as they find their niche and perfect the vineyards you are going to see even better wines emerge, this is exciting times near the Cape. The 2011 Badenhorst red is made up of Shiraz (Syrah), Cinsault, Tinta Barocca (a lesser known Portuguese red grape), Grenache and Mourvedre and it is deep, spicy and full of gorgeous layers of fruit, mineral, earth and savory elements that build impressively on the rich palate, ripe tannin and juicy acidity hold things together and the balance, cut and focus are near perfect. The bouquet starts with a light floral perfume along with an array of red spices, bacon and dark berries which leads to deep and vigorous wine that shows a opaque garnet hue in the glass with boysenberry, blueberry, wild plum, morello cherry and tangy currant fruits with cracked pepper, smoked boar, sweet framboise, cinnamon, dusty stones, licorice and cedar notes. This is a serious offering from Badenhorst and there is real depth, style and charm here, it flows with intriguing character from start to finish, it seems to be in no need of anything and can be enjoyed now, though I’m sure it will be just as good if not a touch better in 3 to 5 years time, though it is hard to imagine too many cellaring this sexy red for too long, drink from 2015 to 2021.
($38 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive

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