An interesting blend of 33% Shiraz, 25% Grenache, 14% Cinsault, 12% Tinta Barocca, 8% Mataro, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Touriga Nacional.

Small parcels of selected fruit are sourced from seven vineyards on our Kalmoesfontein farm and from our neighbours with good tasting grapes. The 2022 vintage was characterised by togetherness, if one word should describe it. The fruit, the tannins and the pedigree of the vineyards married together very well in this wine.

All the grapes from these vineyards get harvested by hand on the same day. The grapes are sorted meticulously in the vineyard and transported in small picking boxes to a refrigerated room where they are left overnight to cool down. The following day the grapes are transferred to fermentation vessels made of concrete or wood. Around 40% of the grapes are destemmed and minimal sulphur is added at this stage. The whole bunches are foot stomped to extract juice to assist the onset of natural fermentation. Once fermentation has started the tanks are pigeaged twice daily. The grapes fermented in closed concrete tanks are left on their skins for 3 to 6 months before pressing.

The wine is pressed into concrete tanks and 8% new 600L casks for maturation. During this time the wine is topped regularly but not racked until just before bottling. We bottled this wine earlier than usual, after only 10 months, to capture the beautiful perfume.

ANALYSIS: ALC 14% | RS 3 g/l | TA 4.9 g/l | pH 3.83

The 2022 AA Badenhorst Kalmoesfontein Red is the 17th release of this appellation wine. The aromas are brooding but with complex notes of pepper, liquorice, perfume and black cherries. The palate entry is quite dense with lavender and dark berry fruit. The finish is dry with well spread tannins ending with savoury and black currant flavours.