Ramnasgras Cinsault, A.A Badenhorst

This is such a pretty wine, with red fruits to the fore, theres some subtle earthiness and hints of spice. Refreshing and elegant, with super-fine tannins, this would be perfect served with just a little chill pop it in the fridge for 20 minutes before serving.

The Ramnasgras Cinsault comes from a single parcel of vines planted in 1954 on decomposed Granite soils. The wine is fermented with whole bunches in large old oak vats, after fermentation the wine is pressed and left to mature for a year in vat before bottling.

----------

Adi Badenhorst is one of the super-stars of the new-wave of South African wine. Together with his Cousin, Hein, he owns a 28 Hectare farm in Swartland on Paardeberg mountain. Adi is a true force of nature, and one of the most charismatic winemakers Ive ever met in a way these wines reflect their maker - bright, joyous, and full of character.

Swartland is a hot-spot for talented young winemakers in South Africa. Drawn there by better land prices compared to the more famous Stellenbosch region, and a host of old vineyards with good age, producing small quantities of very-high quality fruit.

The Swartland region is hot, but what makes it unique is the mountain ranges that jut-out from the plains. This gives a cooling influence to the vineyards, especially at night, and enables the grapes to retain freshness. The soils on the Badenhorst farm are mainly granite, which for me always gives wines a sense of freshness and energy.

Farming here is fully organic, with a very soft touch in the cellar. Fermentations are all completed with wild yeast and the wines are matured in cement tanks and large old oak barrells, meaning the natural fruit character is always the star of the show without any influence from new wood barrels or winemaking gimmicks.