Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Cottage life...

We told you a while ago that you can now come stay in the cottage on Kalmoesfontein by booking through Perfect Hideaways. This weekend we had our first guests; Lisa Fullstone and her family spent the weekend on the farm and sent us some lovely pictures.











In her e-mail, subjected "Kalmoesfontein - a boy, a dog, a farm" Lisa wrote:

"We had a lovely weekend, we really enjoyed the farm and the dogs! Our 5 year old Sam fell in love with the dogs and spent hours playing with them, he also got to meet Badenhorst 5 year old Samuel and they played really nicely together. 
 
We loved the farm, the dogs, the garden, Fortuin, the birdlife and mostly the peace and quiet.. and the VIEW!!! did I mention the view! and the Swartland heat, and the wines..."




Sound good? Then book your weekend and come enjoy it for yourself...

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Washing barrels

Recently we told you about the new (old) barrels we bought for the cellar and how Razvan at Nederburg gave us a few tips on how to clean them. We have started to move the smaller barrels out of the cellar and have washed out the new (old) barrels.



As you know, everything we do on Kalmoesfontein is a family affair, so it was no surprise that little Ana Kalander wanted to keep an eye on her dad while he performed this important task.


Quality control, Paardeberg style~

Thursday, September 15, 2011

A taste of the Swartland

Come get a taste of the Swartland, in Cape Town! 

Join us on Saturday 8 October at The Stone Cottages in Kirstenbosch to experience the tastes, sounds and sights of the Swartland. 



Wine, olives, spit braai, tuisgebak, arts, crafts and more! see you there!

Friday, September 9, 2011

Best red for under R100 - setting records!

Roland Peens at the Wine Cellar reckons our Secateurs Red blend 2010 vintage is the best SA red you can buy for under R100.

They are currently running a special on this wine (buy per case) and 2 days into the sale he says it is selling so fast that he predicts record sales!

"Adi has hit a complete home run here, and Neal Martin's latest Wine Advocate review is in agreement. The 90/100 rating is in line with many wines 3 or 4 times its price. Buy this wine by the case load, it's delicious."

He also mentions our Secateurs Chenin on his list of top wines under R100 along with other Swartland gems like Lammershoek LAM and Mullineux Kloof Street Red.



Thursday, September 8, 2011

Something old, something new...


Our wines are now in the Chapman's Peak Wine & Spirits Boutique!  Voted ‘Top Wine Retailer’ by Wine Magazine, the Chapmans Peak Wine & Spirits boutique features a large selection of local and rare wines, port, liquers, imported beers and cigars. It also has one of the largest selections of malts in Cape Town. 




When last did you take a drive along the most spectacular road in the Cape?

Chapmans Peak drive is breathtaking and still as thrilling as I can remember as a little boy. At the Hout Bay end Chapmans Peak Hotel, with their famous calamari pan awaits you, or if you drive in the direction of the harbour, keep driving until you end up at "FISH ON THE ROCKS" and grab a fish parcel.” - Adi



In other news: Adi has tracked down some old casks for our Cellar - they are old, they are sexy and they are officially ours! They hold 1800 liters of wine and will be put into the barrel cellar - yes we are throwing out all of our small casks!
 
Rasvan Macici the eastern european winemaking machine has given us some good advice on how to clean them since he has many in his cellar at Nederburg.



Monday, September 5, 2011

Plaas living

You can now come stay in the cottage on Kalmoesfontein! The cottage, that sleeps four people (one double room and another room with two single beds) has two en-suite bathrooms, a lovely open plan kitchen / living room with a massive fireplace and views of the Swartland from the Paardeberg.

There are also hiking trails, horses, cellars, veggie gardens and more to explore!

Kalmoesfontein is located in the Paardeberg and within bike riding distance from Paarl, Wellington and Riebeek Kasteel.

Read more, see pictures and booking details by clicking here~



Top marks and honours from Wine Advocate


Wine Advocate, probably the most influential publication in the world of wine, Neal Martin recently visited some wineries in South Africa, and he’s just released his report online yesterday!

Some notes from his report on South African wine in general:

The aim of this report is to suggest where South Africa is going right (and trust me, it is going right in far more places than I anticipated) and where it is going wrong. I hope to convince both the uninitiated and the skeptics of the heights that their greatest wines are achieving and the potential for the future. Perhaps most importantly in these straightened times, I hope you will be convinced that a vast number of South African wines offer exceptional quality for the price.” –N.M


“The greatest potential in my opinion, comes from the Rhône based blends, from Shiraz, Grenache and to a lesser extent, Mourvèdre. One can see the climactic parallels between the Rhône Valley and areas of South Africa such as Swartland. The top wines from the likes of Eben Sadie, Adi Badenhorst, Alex Starey and Mark Kent, to name but a few, are magnificent.” – N.M

We are happy to share these tasting notes and ratings with you today:

From best to 'worst' (if 87 points is bad...)

2008   A A Badenhorst Family Wines Noble Late Harvest – 93pts  

2007   A A Badenhorst Family Wines Red – 93pts - a very natural, beautifully defined bouquet of dark berries, a dash of white pepper and garrigue that you would swear comes from some rocky outcrop in the Rhone. The palate has really coalesced since I tasted the 2007 in its youth: very fine tannins, wonderful balance and freshness with great tension. There are dark berries, tertiary notes, white pepper, fennel and a slight salty tang on the mid-palate that leads to a very focused finish. It will age over 8-10 years with ease. Drink now-2020
 
2009   A A Badenhorst Family Wines White – 92pts -  blend of around ten white varieties that Adi tried his best to remember. We got as far as Chenin Blanc, Grenache Gris, Palomino, Clairette and Semillon, but we might have been there all day. The striking thing about the nose is the definition, for the 2009 shows greater precision than the 2008, whilst the Palomino does indeed impart a sherry-like tincture. The palate is supremely well balanced and demonstrates greater tension and vibrancy than the 2008, as if the grapes are working together, moving in the same direction. It is very focused on the finish and should age beautifully. Drink now-2016+.

NV   A A Badenhorst Family Wines Funky White Blend – 91pts -Adi has provisionally named his Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Viognier non-vintage blend “Funky White.” Blended with eight other varieties and aged under flor but not fortified and with a blend of four different vintages, it has a striking nose that you will either love or hate?Jura meets Swartland perhaps? The palate is very well balanced with a smooth texture and is not as oxidized as the nose implies. Apricot, lemon rind, honeycomb and walnut furnish the poised finish. This evinces individualistic winemaking, but the bottom line is that it tastes good and it tastes “cerebral.” Drink now-2015+.

2010   A A Badenhorst Family Wines Secateurs Red Blend – 90pts - ripe raspberry, blackberry and wild hedgerow on the nose that is well defined and very natural. The palate is medium-bodied, supple on the entry with juicy bright red berries, raspberry, red currant and has a touch of citrus peel lending freshness and vitality. Drink now-2013

2010   A A Badenhorst Family Wines Secateurs Chenin Blanc – 89pts - fresh, vibrant bouquet with orange blossom, Clementine and pressed white flowers. The palate is clean on the entry with a very natural feel. It is underpinned by racy acidity and light flavours of lemon peel, melon and honeysuckle that dovetail towards a refined, refreshing finish. For its price, this comes highly recommended. Drink now-2015.

2011   A A Badenhorst Family Wines Secateurs Rose - 87pts -A blend of Cinsault, Shiraz and Grenache with grapes pressed together, the 2011 Secateurs Rose has a lifted, vibrant fresh bouquet with touches of red cherry, rose petals and lime. The palate is well balanced, fresh and vibrant with a little more tannic “grip” than other South African roses. Whilst not a complex wine, it is well made and as fresh as a daisy. Drink now.

That is an average of 90 - better than any of us ever did at academics... School is overrated anyway... Just don't tell Samuel... ;)