Badenhorst Ramnasgras Cinsault 2022

A.A. Badenhorst farms in the Swartland district of South Africa's Coastal Region, where Adi Badenhorst settled in 2007 and helped lead a revival built on old bushvines and gentle winemaking. The Swartland is warm and dry, but old Cinsault vines on its granite and schist soils, some among the oldest vineyard soils in the world, yield small crops of fresh, lightly structured fruit. Dry-farmed old vines push their roots deep and ripen evenly, which keeps the alcohol modest at 12.5 percent and the fruit bright. The wine is aged in large old foudres rather than small new oak, so the wood adds gentle oxygen exchange and softens the texture without contributing barrel spice, leaving the variety's delicate perfume intact. It pours a pale, translucent ruby red. The nose is floral and fresh, with raspberry, red cherry, rose petal and a white-pepper, herbal lift. The palate is light bodied, with soft fine tannins, juicy acidity and a clean, red-fruited finish that reflects the old vines and the restrained winemaking. Serve lightly chilled at 13 to 15 degrees. It suits lighter dishes, poultry and charcuterie.